Arrhythmias Flashcards Preview

Cardiovascular > Arrhythmias > Flashcards

Flashcards in Arrhythmias Deck (53)
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1
Q

What is paroxysmal atrial fibrillation?

A

sudden reoccurrence or intensification of symptoms, lasts <48hrs

2
Q

What is permanent atrial fibrillation?

A

unable to restore normal sinus rhythm

3
Q

What is the acute treatment for sinus bradycardia?

A

atropine

4
Q

What are the causes of ventricular ectopics?

A

LV hypertrophy, heart failure, myocarditis, ischaemic heart disease, electrolyte imbalances, inherited cardiac conditions

5
Q

What is the chronic treatment for ventricular tachycardia?

A

correct ischaemia - revascularisation, implantable cardiac defibrillator, catheter ablation

6
Q

What is the treatment for 1st degree heart block?

A

no treatment, long term follow up

7
Q

What is atrial flutter?

A

rapid and regular atrial tachycardia

8
Q

What is the acute treatment for ventricular tachycardia?

A

unstable - direct current cardioversion, stable - anti-arrhythmic drugs, prepare for direct current cardioversion

9
Q

What are the signs of Torsades de Pointes?

A

HR = 200-250bpm, irregular pulse

10
Q

What is the treatment of ventricular fibrillation?

A

defibrillation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation

11
Q

What is sinus tachycardia?

A

> 100bpm

12
Q

What is the mechanism of atrial fibrillation?

A

ectopic foci in muscle sleeves in opening of pulmonary veins

13
Q

What is a single chamber pacemaker?

A

paces RA or RV only

14
Q

What is haemodynamic compromise?

A

hypotension, CHF, angina

15
Q

What is 2nd degree heart block?

A

intermittent block - dropped beats

16
Q

What are the triggers of ventricular tachycardia?

A

electrolyte imbalance, ischaemia, hypoxia, drugs that prolong QT interval

17
Q

What is re-entry?

A

more than one conduction pathway with different conduction speeds

18
Q

What is persistent atrial fibrillation?

A

lasts >48hrs

19
Q

What are the ECG characteristics of Torsades de Pointes?

A

long QT interval, wide QRS, continuously changing QRS morphology

20
Q

What is Mobitz II heart block?

A

usually 2:1 or 3:1

21
Q

What is seen on an ECG of 1st degree heart block?

A

PR interval >0.2s

22
Q

What is the treatment for sinus bradycardia if there is haemodynamic compromise?

A

pacing

23
Q

What is the treatment for permanent atrial fibrillation?

A

slow down AV node conduction - digoxin, beta blockers, verapamil, diltiazem

24
Q

What is the acute management of regular supraventricular tachycardia?

A

increase vagal tone - Valsalva (blow through closed object) or carotid massage, slow conduction in AV node - IV adenosine, IV verapamil

25
Q

What are ectopic beats?

A

originate outside SA node - take over sinus rhythm if faster

26
Q

What is the treatment for sinus tachycardia?

A

beta blockers, treat underlying cause

27
Q

What is the treatment of atrial fibrillation?

A

pharmacological or electrical cardioversion - anticoagulation

28
Q

What are the ECG characteristics of ventricular tachycardia?

A

rapid, wide, distorted QRS complexes, large T waves with deflections opposite QRS complexes, no P waves

29
Q

What is a dual chamber pacemaker?

A

paces RA and RV - maintains AV synchrony - used for AV nodal disease

30
Q

What is the treatment of atrial flutter?

A

radiofrequency ablation, pharmacological, warfarin

31
Q

What is Mobitz I heart block?

A

progressive lengthening in PR interval - vagal in origin

32
Q

What is 3rd degree heart block?

A

no action potentials get through AV node

33
Q

What are the ECG characteristics of 3rd degree heart block?

A

broad peaks - originating in myocardium, slow - not using conduction system = escape rhythm - enough to sustain life

34
Q

What are the ECG characteristics of atrial fibrillation?

A

atrial rate >300bpm, irregularly irregular rhythm, no P waves, f waves present

35
Q

What are the symptoms of arrhythmias?

A

palpitations, dyspnoea, dizziness, syncope, presyncope, sudden cardiac death, heart failure, angina

36
Q

What is ventricular fibrillation?

A

chaotic ventricular activity - reduced CO

37
Q

Give examples of stimulants

A

caffeine, cigarettes

38
Q

What is atrial fibrillation?

A

chaotic atrial activity - reduced diastole - reduced CO

39
Q

What is the chronic management of regular supraventricular tachycardia?

A

avoid stimulants, beta blockers, antiarrhythmic drugs, radiofrequency catheter ablation

40
Q

What are the causes of heart block?

A

MI, myocarditis, amyloid, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, calcification of the aortic valve, post aortic valve surgery, genetic

41
Q

What are the symptoms of atrial ectopic beats?

A

palpitations

42
Q

What is the treatment for Mobitz II heart block?

A

pacemaker

43
Q

What is normal sinus arrhythmia?

A

variation in HR - inspiration reduces vagal tone - physiological

44
Q

What is sinus bradycardia?

A

<60bpm, normal sinus rhythm

45
Q

What is the radiofrequency catheter ablation?

A

selective cauterisation of cardiac tissue

46
Q

What are the causes of sinus bradycardia?

A

drugs - e.g. beta blockers, ischaemia - common in inferior STEMIs

47
Q

What are the causes of regular supraventricular tachycardia?

A

AV node re-entrant tachycardia, ectopic atrial tachycardia

48
Q

What is the treatment for atrial ectopic beats?

A

generally no treatment, beta blockers may help, avoid stimulants

49
Q

What is presyncope?

A

faintness

50
Q

What are the classifications of 2nd degree heart block?

A

Mobitz I, Mobitz II

51
Q

What is the mechanism of atrial flutter?

A

re-entry circuit in RA

52
Q

What is the treatment for 3rd degree heart block?

A

pacemaker

53
Q

What is the treatment of ventricular ectopics?

A

beta blockers, ablation of focus