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Questions and Answers
What is sinus rhythm characterized by?
What is sinus rhythm characterized by?
What is the heart rate in sinus bradycardia?
What is the heart rate in sinus bradycardia?
Heart rate < 60 bpm
What distinguishes sinus arrhythmia from normal sinus rhythm?
What distinguishes sinus arrhythmia from normal sinus rhythm?
In sinus arrest, the R to R intervals will vary.
In sinus arrest, the R to R intervals will vary.
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What is a characteristic of premature atrial complexes?
What is a characteristic of premature atrial complexes?
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Wandering atrial pacemaker is defined by:
Wandering atrial pacemaker is defined by:
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In multifocal atrial tachycardia, at least how many different shaped P waves are observed?
In multifocal atrial tachycardia, at least how many different shaped P waves are observed?
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Atrial flutter has no ______ waves; they become F waves.
Atrial flutter has no ______ waves; they become F waves.
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What does chaotic electrical activity cause in atrial fibrillation?
What does chaotic electrical activity cause in atrial fibrillation?
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In premature ventricular complexes, P waves are always present.
In premature ventricular complexes, P waves are always present.
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What is a characteristic feature of agonal rhythm?
What is a characteristic feature of agonal rhythm?
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What defines ventricular fibrillation?
What defines ventricular fibrillation?
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What does first degree heart block look like?
What does first degree heart block look like?
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In second degree heart block type I, the PR interval is ______ and there is a QRS drop.
In second degree heart block type I, the PR interval is ______ and there is a QRS drop.
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What occurs in third degree heart block?
What occurs in third degree heart block?
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Study Notes
Sinus Rhythms
- Sinus Rhythm: Normal rhythm with a heart rate (HR) of 60-100 bpm; characterized by regularity.
- Sinus Bradycardia: HR < 60 bpm; complexes become closer together, potentially burying the P wave within the T wave.
- Sinus Arrhythmia: Normal rhythm with minimal HR variations; resembles sinus rhythm with distinct intervals between cardiac complexes.
Sinus Conduction Issues
- Sinus Arrest: Sudden electrical inactivity leading to a pause, with consistent R to R intervals before and after the pause.
- Premature Atrial Complex: Occurs when an impulse arises from the atria other than the SA node; P wave alterations appear biphasic or irregular.
- Wandering Atrial Pacemaker: Minimum of three different shaped P waves; rhythm may vary in regularity, potentially affecting the PR interval.
Atrial Dysrhythmias
- Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia: Faster variant of wandering atrial pacemaker with at least three different P wave shapes, commonly seen in COPD patients.
- Atrial Flutter: Rapid depolarizations within the atria; absence of P waves replaced by F waves, displays a “saw tooth” pattern.
- Atrial Fibrillation: Chaotic electrical activity leads to absent P waves and a chaotic waveform between QRS complexes.
Ventricular Dysrhythmias
- Premature Ventricular Complexes: Occur from early impulses in ventricles; characterized by absent P waves and bizarre QRS complexes.
- Agonal Rhythm: HR < 60 bpm with absent P waves and wide, bizarre QRS complexes; many patients may be unconscious and may require defibrillation.
- Ventricular Fibrillation: Absence of P waves and QRS complexes; presents as a chaotic waveform with no measurable rate or effective heart function.
Asystole and Blocks
- Asystole: Total electrical activity absence in the heart; clinical death signified by absent P waves and QRS complexes.
- Ventricular Asystole: Similar to asystole but may have P waves; patient is clinically dead.
- First Degree Heart Block: Normal sinus appearance but with a prolonged PR interval (>0.2s); no QRS drop occurs.
- Second Degree Heart Block Type I (Wenckebach): Characterized by progressively prolonged PR intervals followed by QRS drop; regular P-P intervals, irregular R-R intervals.
Advanced Heart Block
- Second Degree Heart Block Type II: QRS complexes appear in a stable pattern correlated with P waves (e.g., 2:1 or 3:1).
- Third Degree Heart Block: Complete blockage leading to independent functioning pacemakers in the atria and ventricles; results in dissociation of P waves and QRS complexes.
Other Conditions
- Supraventricular Tachycardia: Regular rhythm with HR > 140 bpm; presents narrow QRS, ambiguous P wave identification.
- Lown-Ganong Levine Syndrome and Wolf-Parkinson-White Syndrome: Pre-excitation syndrome where conduction bypasses normal AV pathways; characterized by an early R wave upstroke before the QRS and slurred QRS appearance.
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Description
Test your knowledge of EKG rhythm strips with this set of flashcards. Each card presents a term related to heart rhythms and its definition, helping you understand essential concepts in cardiology. Perfect for students and professionals alike.
