Week 5 Flashcards
What is an arrhythmia?
Abnormal rhythm of the heart
What are arrhythmias formed by?
CHD, Stress, Coffee,
What is AF Atrial fibrillation?
It is the most common arrhythmia, it is a sustained arrhythmia
What other problems is AF associated with?
Stroke and Heart Failure
Shorter the QT interval?
Faster heartbeat
How do we know if a patient has Arrhythmia?
Breathlessness, fatigue, palpitations, falls, blackouts, chest pain, death but some people have no signs
How to diagnose Arrhythmias?
ECG at rest or over 24 hours,
What is tachyarrhythmia?
Rapid heart beat
What is bradyarrhythmia?
Heart beating too slowly
What drugs are given to people with Arrhythmias?
Beta-blockers or non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, or digoxin
How does amiodarone work?
Slows how quickly the heart contracts
amiodarone side effects?
Thyroid dysfunction, pulmonary toxicity, liver dysfunction, ocular effects, neurotoxicity, metallic taste in mouth
What are some non-drug treatment options?
Pacemakers, Cardiac defibrillators, cardioversion,
what is cardioversion?
Drugs and electro-stimuli to shock the heart to get it back to beating normal rhythm
What system do anticoagulants work in?
Venous
What system do antiplatelets work in?
Arteriole
how do anticoagulants work?
They prevent blood clots
What are some practice points for anticoagulants?
Patients how to watch for signs of bleeding, must stop anticoagulants before surgery,
How does Warfarin work?
It stops vitamin K and the synthesis of the clotting factors
How does heparin work?
It inhibits both thrombin and factor Xa
Is warfarin an anticoagulant or antiplatelet?
Anticoagulants
Is heparin an anticoagulant or an antiplatelet?
Anticoagulants
How is heparin administered?
As an injection
How do Factor 10A work?
They inhibit 10A
