Mod 1 Lecture 2: anti-arrhythmic therapies Flashcards
(102 cards)
what node produces an electrical impulse at regular internals that allows for cardiac contractions
SA Node
what is an arrhythmia
electrical activity that deviates from the previous description as a result of an abnormality in impulse initiation and/or impulse propagation
what are the treatment options for arrhythmias
pharmacotherapy, pacemakers, cardioversion, catheter ablation and surgery can be pursued
what are the mechanisms of arrhythmias
disturbances in impulse formation
disturbances in impulse conduction
what is depolarization
when the cells of the heart are activated
what is repolarization
when the cells of the heart are at rest
when should treatment of arrhythmias be avoided in general
asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic arrhythmias
How do arrhythmias arise?
ischemia ( as well as scarred or diseased tissue)
hypoxia
acidosis or alkalosis
electrolyte disturbances (potassium, calcium and chloride)
excessive catecholamine exposure (illicit drugs or excess adrenaline, cortisol, etc)
autonomic influences
Drug toxicities
what is the P wave
atrial depolarization
what is the T wave
ventricular repolarization
what is depolarized during the QRS complex
ventricular depolarization
what ions are involved during cardiac action potential
Na+
K+
Ca+
what is cardiac action potential
change in voltage across myocardial cells
involves movement of ions across cell membranes
what occurs at phase zero of the fast AP
Influx of Na+ and a spike from negative voltage to positive
what occurs at phase one of the fast AP
K+ and Cl- out
what occurs at phase 2 of the fast AP
Ca2+ in and K+ out
what occurs at phase 3 of the fast AP
K+ outward and decrease in voltage back to negative
what occurs at phase 4 of the fast AP
K+ with a net negative change of -96mV
what regulates the pacemaking activity
both parasymathetic and sympathetic activity
what are latent pacemaker cells
purkinje cells that demonstrate slow phase 4 depolarization
cells that take control of packing of the heart when SA node conduction/impulse generation is impaired - leads to disturbed impulses
when do Early Afterdepolarizations (EADs) occur
during phase 3 of action potential
when do delayed afterdepolarizations (DADs) occur
during phase 4 of action potential
what usually triggers EADs
factors that prolong action potential duration in the ventcile -> leads to QT prolongation -> torsades de pointes, tachycardia and other arrhythmias
what is QT prolongaction
caused by a blockage of rapidly activating delayed rectifier potassium channels
can be intrinsic (congenital) or extrinsic (some drugs can cause)
slow HR and hypokalemia can exacerbate states of long QT syndrome which is life threatening