Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Cardiovascular > Arrhythmias > Flashcards

Arrhythmias Flashcards

1
Q

Where does the arrhythmia come from if the QRS complex is not widened?

A

Above the ventricle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are ectopic beats?

A

Beats or rhythms which originate in areas of the heart other than the SA node.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What an ectopic beats cause?

A

Single beats to take over the entire pace of the heart and dictate the entire rhythm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are examples of supraventricular arrhythmias?

A

Supraventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation/flutter, ectopic atrial tachycardia, sinus bradycardia/pauses

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are AV node arrhythmias caused by?

A

AV node re-entry through an accessory pathway

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are examples of ventricular arrhythmias?

A

Premature ventricular complex, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, asystole

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are some clinical causes of arrhythmias?

A

Anatomical abnormalities, autonomic factors, metabolic, inflammation, drugs, genetics

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What does altered automaticity mean?

A

The arrhythmia depends on an increase or decrease in he phase 4 AP slope

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What causes an increase in the phase 4 AP slope?

A

Hyperthermia, hypoxia, hypercapnia, cardiac dilation, ischaemia/necrosis, hypokalaemia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What causes a decrease in the phase 4 AP slope?

A

Hypothermia and hyperkalaemia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is triggered activity?

A

Sometimes in phase 3 AP a small depolarisation can occur which if it reaches a significant magnitude can cause a cascade of depolarisations

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What 3 things does re-entry require?

A

Available circuit, unidirectional block and different conduction speed in limbs of circuit

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are common symptoms of arrhythmias?

A

Palpitations, SOB, dizziness, syncope, sudden cardiac death, worsening of a pre-existing condition

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What investigations are used for arrhythmias?

A

ECG, CXR, echo, stress ECG, 24 hour ECG, event recorder, electrophysiological study (triggers arrhythmia)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the symptoms of atrial ectopic beats and what can be used to treat it?

A

Often asymptomatic but can be palpitations- generally no treatment but beta-blockers and avoiding stimulants may help

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What can cause sinus bradycardia?

A

Can be physiological or can by due to drugs or ischaemia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

How can you treat sinus bradycardia?

A

Atropine (and temporary pacemaker if needed) if acute, pacing if chronic.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What can cause sinus tachycardia and how is it treated?

A

Physiological, anxiety, fever, hypotension, anaemia, drugs. Treat underlying cause and use beta-blockers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is the most common arrhythmia in young women?

A

Supraventricular tachycardia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

How do you treat supraventricular tachycardia?

A

Vagal manoeuvres/adenosine/verapamil if acute and avoiding stimulants or class II/IV drugs if chronic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is ablation?

A

Selective cautery of cardiac tissue to prevent tachycardia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What should you do before ablation?

A

Stop anti-arrhythmic drugs at least 3-5 days before

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is 1st degree heart block and how is it treated?

A

PR interval longer than normal- no treatment, just follow ups

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is 2nd degree heart block?

A

Intermittent block at the AV node

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What will Mobitz type I show on an ECG?
Progressive PR lengthening until a beat is completely missed
26
What will Mobitz type II show on an ECG and how is it treated?
Usually 2 or 3 beats to every missed beat. Permanent pacemaker is inserted.
27
What is 3rd degree heart block?
No APs get through the AV node (P wave and QRS complex are interdependent)
28
What type of pacing is used for Mobitz type II and 3rd degree heart block?
Transcutaneous if acute and transvenous if chronic
29
What can premature ventricular complex be to do with?
IHD, hypertension, LVH, heart failure
30
When is treatment needed for premature ventricular complex?
If it is worse on exercise- give beta-blockers
31
What does an ECG of VT show?
Large, sustained reduction in arterial pressure
32
How would you treat VT?
If stable, consider pharmacological meausures, if unsure of diagnosis give adenosine, in long term, correct ischaemia and implant defibrillator
33
What are some ECG patterns to look for in VT?
Broad QRS, fairly regular rhythm, no P waves or measurable PR interval
34
What is VF?
Chaotic ventricular activity which causes the heart to lose its function as a pump
35
How is VF treated?
Defibrillation and CPR
36
What kind of heartbeat does AF have?
Irregular
37
What is paroxysmal AF?
Lasting less than 48 hours but often recurrent
38
What is persistent AF?
An episode of AF lasting longer than 48 hours which can be cardioverted to normal sinus rhythm but this is unlikely to occur spontaneously
39
What is permanent AF?
No methods can restore normal sinus rhythm
40
As well as many heart diseases, what can AF be associated with?
Thyroid disease, alcohol abuse, COPD, pneumonia, septicaemia and tumours
41
What are the symptoms of AF?
Palpitations, dizziness, chest pain, dyspnoea, sweatiness and fatigue
42
What is AF caused by?
Multiple wavelets of re-entry and an ectopic focus around the pulmonary veins
43
What will AF show on an ECG?
Atrial rate of greater than 300bpm, irregularly irregular rhythm, absence of P waves, presence of F waves (just after QRS), normal QRS
44
AF causes a loss of atrial kick. What can this result in?
Congestive heart failure, especially when there is already diastolic dysfunction
45
What does a ventricular rate of less than 60bpm suggest?
AV node conduction disease
46
What is the aim of rhythm control in AF and how is this done?
Maintain SR through pharmacological or direct current cardioversion
47
What is the aim of rate control in AF and what drugs do this?
Control ventricular rate- digoxin, beta-blockers, verapamil or diltiazem alone or in combination
48
When would you use anticoagulation in AF?
If the patient is at high risk for thromboembolism
49
What factors increase the risk of bleeding?
Hypertension, abnormal renal/liver function, stroke, bleeding, labile INRs, elderly, drugs or alcohol
50
Where can be ablated in AF?
Pulmonary veins or AV node
51
What is Torsades de Pointes?
Very rare and deadly form of VT with a twisting configuration of QRS and prolonged repolarisation
52
How is TdP recognised on an ECG?
Long QT interval, wide QRS, continuously changing QRS morphology
53
What are some events leading to TdP?
Hypokalaemia, drug induced prolongation of AP, renal impairment
54
What is atrial flutter?
Rapid and regular form of atrial tachycardia which is usually paroxysmal
55
How is atrial flutter sustained?
Re-entrant circuit confined to the right atrium
56
What do chronic cases of atrial flutter become?
AF, and many cases result in thrombo-embolism
57
What does atrial flutter show on an ECG?
Fast rate, F waves, normal QRS, regular but variable rhythm
58
What is the treatment for atrial flutter?
Ablation, pharmacological therapy to slow ventricular rate and maintain sinus rhythm, cardioversion and warfarin
59
What is the most common mutation causing arrhythmias?
Mutations in the potassium voltage gated channels
60
What does congenital long QT syndrome cause?
Polymorphic VT (TdP)
61
What brings on a VT caused by LQTS?
Exercise, emotional stress, sleep
62
Who is sudden cardiac death more common in?
Young males but adult females
63
What should people with LQTS avoid?
AP prolonging drugs, strenuous swimming, loud noises
64
What is Brugada syndrome?
Increases risk of polymorphic VT/VF, AF is also common
65
What will Brugata syndrome show on an ECG?
ST elevation, RBBB in V1-V3 (may only be seen with provocation testing)
66
Who is Brugata syndrome more common in?
Males
67
What should you prescribe people with catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia
Beta-blockers and flecainide
68
What genes are affected in hypertrophic cardiomyopathies?
Myosin (sarcomeric) genes
69
What is arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy?
Fibro-fatty replacement of cardiomyocytes- risk of SCD

Cardiovascular (23 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions