Arrhythmias Flashcards
Are arrhythmias only seen in diseased hearts?
No healthy too, sinus arrhythmia is an example of that
What are some causes of an arrhythmia?
Heart defects (congenital)
Myocardial ischemia (anaerobic respiration and fixed acid production)
MI if in vicinity of conducting system
Fluid-electrolyte imbalance
What is the characteristic of atrial flutter?
The rate is abnormal but the contractions are regular and organized
What is the ratio of atrial contractions to ventricle contractions in atrial flutter?
2:1 about 300:150
What are the characteristics of atrial fibrillation? Touch on atrial and ventricle characteristics.
Irregular and uncontrolled contractions around 400-600 bpm, ventricle rate is irregular and rapid at about 80-180 bpm
What four types of arrhythmias are there?
Atrial flutter
Atrial fibrillation
Heart block
Ventricular fibrillation
What is heart block?
Abnormal or no impulse conduction from atria to ventricles
What is first degree heart block?
There is delayed conduction from atria to ventricles with a regular rhythm
What is second degree heart block?
Intermittent failure of conduction from atria to ventricles
What is third degree heart block?
No conduction goes from atria to ventricle, there is a completely separate rhythm for atria and for ventricles
2 independent rhythms
What are the characteristics of ventricular fibrillation?
Instead of the ventricles contracting they quiver/shake leading to death in minutes due to no blood circulating through the body
How do you treat arrhythmias?
Depends on the type
Drugs from class I-IV
Pacemaker
Ablation (removes problematic tissue resulting from an MI)
And defibrillation if it is ventricular fibrillation in order to reset sinus rhythm
What is an arrhythmia?
Abnormal alteration in heart rate and rhythm
