Arrhythmias Flash Cards 1

Front

Normal range for a healthy heart rate.

Back

Normal Sinus Rhythm has a heart rate between 60 and 100 beats per minute (BPM). This range indicates a healthy and regular electrical activity originating from the sinus node.

Front

Specific visual characteristic of Atrial Flutter.

Back

Atrial Flutter is called the "Sawtooth Effect" because the P waves, which are replaced by F waves (flutter waves), appear as distinct, uniform, and repetitive deflections resembling the teeth of a saw on an ECG tracing. These flutter waves are often more numerous than the QRS complexes.

Front

Key difference in ventricular rhythm between Atrial Flutter and Atrial Fibrillation.

Back

In Atrial Flutter, the ventricular rate (indicated by Rs) is usually regular, even though the atrial activity is rapid. In contrast, Atrial Fibrillation is characterized by an irregular ventricular rate, appearing chaotic due to the disorganized atrial electrical activity.

Front

Two life-threatening arrhythmias that are shockable by an AED.

Back

Ventricular Tachycardia (VTAC) and Ventricular Fibrillation (V FIB) are the two arrhythmias that are shockable by an AED. Both rhythms are considered life-threatening because they severely impair the heart's ability to pump blood effectively.

Front

Definition of Asystole and AED's advice.

Back

Asystole is a flatline rhythm, meaning there is no electrical activity and thus no heart rate. When an AED detects Asystole, it will advise "No shock advised" because defibrillation is ineffective for this condition.

Front

Explanation of "Bigeminy" in the context of PVCs.

Back

Bigeminy refers to a pattern of Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs) where every second complex on an ECG is a PVC. This means that a normal beat is followed by a PVC, and this sequence repeats.

Front

Crucial characteristic of heart rhythm before calculating heart rate.

Back

Before calculating heart rate using the 300 method or 1500 method, it is crucial to ensure that the heart rhythm is regular. These methods rely on consistent R-R intervals for accurate measurement, and an irregular rhythm would yield an unreliable result.

Front

Description of the 1500 Method for calculating heart rate.

Back

The 1500 Method for calculating heart rate requires counting the number of small squares between two R waves on an ECG strip. The heart rate is calculated by dividing 1500 by the number of small squares counted.

Front

When to use the 6-Second Method for calculating heart rate.

Back

The 6-Second Method for calculating heart rate is appropriate when the heart rhythm is irregular or when a quick estimate is needed. It involves counting the number of R waves in a 6-second strip and multiplying by 10 to get the heart rate per minute.

Also, In class Inez said for HR under 50 BPM.

Front

Heart rate range for VTAC and its significance.

Back

In Class we were told the the HR for VTAC was 180 BPM + (so it's probably best to stick with this for the class).

It is a significant concern because it can lead to decreased cardiac output and may progress to more severe arrhythmias or cardiac arrest.

Side Note: The VTAC rate of 150 - 250 is a more general number (for outside of the classroom). In the "real world" it get's tricky because sometimes VTAC can show up in HR between 100 - 150 BPM; but that's not our concern right now.