Arrhythmias - irregularity of rhythm of heart
Bradyarrhythmia - slow heart activity
Tachyarrhythmia - fast heart activity. >100 pt anxiety or pathology
First degree - AV block, electrical signals slow to reach ventricles. Longer PR interval but equal
signals slowed but eventually reach.
Second degree - AV block, electrical signals slow to reach ventricles. P wave with missing QRS complex. PR interval remains constant
Second degree much more dangerous than first, however less common. Pacemaker management.
Third Degree - complete heart block. No electrical signal reaches ventricles.
Ventricles try to generate their own rhythm - ‘escape rhythm’. P wave and QRS have no relation. However P-P and Q-Q distance same
Pacemakers shown as straight lines on ECG. Impulses sent to atria and ventricles
AF - atrial fibrillation multiple random impulses from atria. No direct pacemaker. Cells firing randomly. Absence of P waves.
Since blood not pumping properly in AF → pooling → clot → thrombosis
Digoxin reduces AF.
LA - is a Na+ channel blocker so anti-arrhythmic can be used for ventricular arrhythmias.