Arrhythmias

Question 1

what defines an arrythmia (2)

Answer 1

1. too fast or slow 60-100

2. or irregularity

Question 2

what are 3 ways sinus rhythm can be off

Answer 2

1. sinus arrhythmia
2. sinus bradycardia
3. sinus tachycardia

Question 3

2 main mechanisms of brady

Answer 3

1. anatomic/structural

2. physiological - ion channel

Question 4

2 causes of anatomic brady

Answer 4

1. surgery

2. fibrosis - both affecting SA node

Question 5

3 ways of ion brady

Answer 5

1. autonomic tone
2. genetic
3. drugs

Question 6

2 points bradycardia can occur

Answer 6

1. sinus arrest (SA)

2. heart block (AV node)

Question 7

2 ECG signs of sinus bradycardia

Answer 7

1. 3sec

Question 8

3 degrees of heart block and definition

Answer 8

1. long PR interval
2. intermittent conduction - AV wenkebach
3. complete AV block - SA goes, but doesn’t hit vent.

Question 9

what happens in 2 types of second degree AV block

Answer 9

1. PR interval gets longer until skip a beat and resets

2. no variation in PR before block - miss every second beat

Question 10

what are likely causes of types 2

Answer 10

distal conduction diseases

Question 11

what happens on ECG in 3rd degree

Answer 11

P wave going normally, QRS goes at its own slower pace - requires pacer

Question 12

where can tachy arise

Answer 12

both conduction system and myocardium

Question 13

2 major mechs. of tachy

Answer 13

1. automaticity

2. reentry

Question 14

what is automaticity

Answer 14

restarting an action potential - normal in conduction system, not normal in myocardium

Question 15

what are 2 types of abnormal automaticity

Answer 15

1. early afterdepolarization

2. delayed afterdepolarization

Question 16

what are extrasytoles

Answer 16

abnormal early beats that originate in either chamber

Question 17

what is re-entry

Answer 17

beat coming back around and starting a new one

Question 18

4 conditions for re-entry

Answer 18

1. unidirectional block
2. slowed conduction
3. fixed anatomic block
4. functional arc of block

Question 19

3 types of atrial myocardium tachyarrythmias

Answer 19

1. atrial flutter
2. atrial fibrillation
3. ectopic atrial tachcardia

Question 20

2 types of ventricular tachyarrythimas

Answer 20

1. vent. tachycardia - onset in bottom

2. vent. fibrillation

Question 21

ECG sign of vent. tachycardia (2)

Answer 21

1. wide ventricular beat (QRS>140)

2. AV dissociation

Question 22

diff between vent. tachycardia vs. fibrillation

Answer 22

fibrillation if much more chaotic

Question 23

consequences of Vent tachycardia

Answer 23

• hemodynamic compromise

- life threatentnig

Question 24

consequences of fibrillation

Answer 24

• disrodered activity without effective contraction
• not compatible with life
• most out of hospital cardiac arrests