Exam 1 Flashcards
(144 cards)
myocardial cells
muscle, property of contractility
Specialized cells
electrical activity, property of conduction
Conductivity
ability to transmit impulses from one area to another
Excitability (irritability)
capability of the cell to respond to a stimulus
Automaticity
capacity to initiate an impulse or stimulus
Rhythmicity
property of regularity of the intervals at which impulses are formed
Refractoriness
property of being unresponsive to an impulse
inside the cardiac cell
high K low Na, at rest (polarized)
outside the cardiac cell
low K high Na, at rest (polarized)
Absolute refractory period
- the time during the cardiac cycle in which the heart cannot respond to a stimulus (during depolarization)
- serves as a protective mechanism
Relative refractory period
- cell can respond to a strong stimulus
- The repolarization phase is in process but not quite completed (some cells are polarized and others are depolarized =vulnerable)
- T wave on the ECG
Supernormal Period
during this period the cardiac cells will respond to a weaker than normal stimulus (just before the cells have completely repolarized)
Nonrefractory period
the time when the heart is completely repolarized and ready to adequately and efficiently respond to another stimulus
Normal pathway for cardiac electrical conduction
originates in the SA node, backup pacemaker is the AV node, Bundle of HIS and Purkinje Fibers
SA node
normally where impulses originate
60 to 100 times per minute
AV node
- when the impulse reaches the A-V node, conduction is delayed 0.1 second allowing time for the atria to eject blood into the ventricle
- if the S-A node fails, the A-V junction can assume control at a rate of 40 to 60 per minute
the His-Purkinje system
- The Purkinje fibers allow a rapid spread of the impulse through the ventricular mass.
- If the S-A node and A-V junction fail to initiate an impulse, the His-Purkinje system takes over and pace the heart at a rate of 20 to 40 beats per minute
Lead II
- bipolar lead
- positive electrode is placed over the apex of the heart (in the left midclavicular line at the 4th or 5th intercostal space).
- negative electrode is placed beneath the clavicle to the right of the sternum near the 2nd intercostal space
Small box value
0.04 sec
Big box value
0.2 Seconds
P wave
Represents atrial depolarization
If present and upright in Lead II, normally indicates impulse originated in S-A node
PR interval (PRI)
Normal duration is 0.12- 0.20 second
Measured from the beginning of the P wave to the beginning of the QRS complex
Represents atrial depolarization and delay through the A-V node
QRS complex
Normal duration is less than 0.12 second
Measured from the beginning of the QRS to the end of the S wave
Represents ventricular depolarization
ST segment
Measured from the end of the QRS complex to the beginning of the T wave
Period between the completion of ventricular depolarization and beginning of ventricular repolarization