ECG Machine and Arrhythmia Treatment

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What is a common description of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)?

A medical emergency requiring CPR and defibrillation

A rapid heart rhythm starting from the heart's lower chambers

A slow rhythm due to a disease in the heart's electrical system

A skipped heartbeat that many people experience sometimes (correct)

What is ventricular tachycardia (V-tach) characterized by?

A delay or block of the electrical impulse in the heart

A problem with the heart's sinus node, its natural pacemaker

A rapid heart rhythm starting from the heart's lower chambers (correct)

A slow heart rhythm due to a disease in the heart's electrical system

What is ventricular fibrillation (V-fib) characterized by?

A delay or block of the electrical impulse in the heart

A slow heart rhythm due to a disease in the heart's electrical system

A rapid heart rhythm starting from the heart's lower chambers

The heart's lower chambers quivering and unable to contract or pump blood (correct)

What is a characteristic of bradyarrhythmia?

A slow heart rhythm due to a disease in the heart's electrical system Signup and view all the answers

What is sinus node dysfunction an example of?

Bradyarrhythmia Signup and view all the answers

What is heart block an example of?

Bradyarrhythmia Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of an ECG machine?

To recognise and record electrical activity within the heart Signup and view all the answers

What type of drugs are used to control heart rate?

Heart-rate control drugs Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of anticoagulant therapy in treating arrhythmias?

To reduce the risk of clots forming or having strokes Signup and view all the answers

What determines the clinical effect of cardiac antiarrhythmic drugs?

The action potential and effective refractory period of the cardiac action potential Signup and view all the answers

Why may it take trials of several medications and doses to find the right treatment for a patient with an arrhythmia?

Because everyone responds differently to medications Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a medication used to treat arrhythmias?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of drugs that block inward sodium ion flow on the cardiac action potential?

Suppress the maximum upstroke velocity Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of potassium channel blocking drugs on the cardiac action potential?

Prolong repolarization and the QTc interval Signup and view all the answers

What is the site of action of some cardiac antiarrhythmic drugs?

α subunit of L and T calcium ion channels Signup and view all the answers

What is the basis for the classification of cardiac arrhythmic drugs?

Ability to control arrhythmias by blocking specific ion channels and currents Signup and view all the answers

What is the common mechanism of action of all anti-arrhythmic drugs?

Blocking the movement of electrolytes within the electrical conduction pathways of the myocardium Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the classification system that groups anti-arrhythmic drugs based on their ability to block the movement of ions across the myocardial cell membrane?

Vaughan Williams classification system Signup and view all the answers

In which type of acetylators does the blood level of NAPA exceed that of procainamide?

Rapid acetylators Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of an administered dose of procainamide is recovered unchanged in the urine as paraaminobenzoic acid?

2% to 10% Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for the decreased use of procainamide?

Availability of newer agents Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of rapid IV injection of procainamide on blood pressure?

Hypotension Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of high plasma concentrations of procainamide on the atrioventricular node and intraventricular conduction system?

Decreased conduction Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of hyperkalemia on direct myocardial depression caused by procainamide?

Increases the depression Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of digoxin on the heart rate?

Decreases the heart rate Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of digoxin on norepinephrine levels?

Decreases norepinephrine levels Signup and view all the answers

What type of medicine is propranolol?

Beta blocker Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the ways propranolol can help if you have a heart problem?

Help prevent future heart disease Signup and view all the answers

What is another condition that propranolol can be used to treat?