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Flashcards in Arrhythmias Deck (13)
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1
Q

Are arrhythmias only seen in diseased hearts?

A

No healthy too, sinus arrhythmia is an example of that

2
Q

What are some causes of an arrhythmia?

A

Heart defects (congenital)
Myocardial ischemia (anaerobic respiration and fixed acid production)
MI if in vicinity of conducting system
Fluid-electrolyte imbalance

3
Q

What is the characteristic of atrial flutter?

A

The rate is abnormal but the contractions are regular and organized

4
Q

What is the ratio of atrial contractions to ventricle contractions in atrial flutter?

A

2:1 about 300:150

5
Q

What are the characteristics of atrial fibrillation? Touch on atrial and ventricle characteristics.

A

Irregular and uncontrolled contractions around 400-600 bpm, ventricle rate is irregular and rapid at about 80-180 bpm

6
Q

What four types of arrhythmias are there?

A

Atrial flutter
Atrial fibrillation
Heart block
Ventricular fibrillation

7
Q

What is heart block?

A

Abnormal or no impulse conduction from atria to ventricles

8
Q

What is first degree heart block?

A

There is delayed conduction from atria to ventricles with a regular rhythm

9
Q

What is second degree heart block?

A

Intermittent failure of conduction from atria to ventricles

10
Q

What is third degree heart block?

A

No conduction goes from atria to ventricle, there is a completely separate rhythm for atria and for ventricles
2 independent rhythms

11
Q

What are the characteristics of ventricular fibrillation?

A

Instead of the ventricles contracting they quiver/shake leading to death in minutes due to no blood circulating through the body

12
Q

How do you treat arrhythmias?

A

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

13
Q

What is an arrhythmia?

A

Abnormal alteration in heart rate and rhythm