Arrhythmias/ Dysrhythmias
Arrhythmia - Death occurs in about 25 % of patients usually due to ventricular arrthemias & fibrillation.
It is the major cause of death following a MI.
Arrhythmias/ Dysrhythmias - Deviations from the normal cardiac rate & rhythm due to damage to the
hearts conduction E.g. scar tissue that develops after a heart attack or from Rheumatic fever, systemic
issues E.g. Electrolyte imbalances, fever, hypoxia, stress,infection, & drug toxicity.
What is the affect of an Arrhythmias/ Dysrhytmia? - It reduces the efficiency of the heart's pumping
cycle.
Sinus Node abnormalities (SA Node) - 1. Bradycardia: less than 60 beats per minute
2. Tachycardia: more than 100-160 beats per minute
3. Sick Sinus Syndrome: alternating Tachycardia & Bradycardia
Atrial Conduction abnormalities Extra Contraction of the atria - 1. Premature Atrial contraction/beats
2. Atrial Flutter: Hart rate of 160-350 beats per minute
3. Atrial Fibrillation: A heart rate over 350 beats per minute
Atrioventricular Node abnormalities/ Heart blocks - Conduction is delayed or stopped at the AV node's
bundle of his partial blocks or full blockage occurs rated from 1st-3rd degrees.
1st degree - AV Node disorder. Conduction delay prolongs the time between atrial & ventricular
contractions
2nd degree - AV Node disorder. Even longer delay with missed ventricular contractions.
Arrhythmia - Death occurs in about 25 % of patients usually due to ventricular arrthemias & fibrillation.
It is the major cause of death following a MI.
Arrhythmias/ Dysrhythmias - Deviations from the normal cardiac rate & rhythm due to damage to the
hearts conduction E.g. scar tissue that develops after a heart attack or from Rheumatic fever, systemic
issues E.g. Electrolyte imbalances, fever, hypoxia, stress,infection, & drug toxicity.
What is the affect of an Arrhythmias/ Dysrhytmia? - It reduces the efficiency of the heart's pumping
cycle.
Sinus Node abnormalities (SA Node) - 1. Bradycardia: less than 60 beats per minute
2. Tachycardia: more than 100-160 beats per minute
3. Sick Sinus Syndrome: alternating Tachycardia & Bradycardia
Atrial Conduction abnormalities Extra Contraction of the atria - 1. Premature Atrial contraction/beats
2. Atrial Flutter: Hart rate of 160-350 beats per minute
3. Atrial Fibrillation: A heart rate over 350 beats per minute
Atrioventricular Node abnormalities/ Heart blocks - Conduction is delayed or stopped at the AV node's
bundle of his partial blocks or full blockage occurs rated from 1st-3rd degrees.
1st degree - AV Node disorder. Conduction delay prolongs the time between atrial & ventricular
contractions
2nd degree - AV Node disorder. Even longer delay with missed ventricular contractions.
