11. Cardiac arrythmias

Question 1

7 Causes of arrythmia

Answer 1

1. Increased sinus node automaticity
2. Decreased sinus node automaticity
3. Escape rhythms
4. Enhanced automaticity of latent pacemakers (ectopic beats/rhythms)
5. Triggered activity (after depolarisations): hypokaleamia, 6. drug toxicity
6. Conduction abnormalities/block
7. Unidirectional block and re-entry

Question 2

What is the cause of sinus tachycardia and what is the BPM?

Answer 2

Increased sinus node automaticity

>100 BPM

Question 3

Possible causes of sinus tachycardia

Answer 3

acute hyperthyroidism
heart failure
haemorrhage
fever
anaemia

Question 4

Sinus bradycardia cause and BPM

Answer 4

decreased sinus node automaticity

<60