ACLS Precourse: Types of Rhythms Preview

ACLS Precourse: Types of Rhythms Preview 6 Steps of EKG interpretation - - identify and examine the P Waves - PR intervals (0.12 - 0.2 sec) - QRS complex: 0.06 to 0.12 - Identify the rhythm (regular or irregular from R to R) - determine heart rate Agonal Rhythm/ asytole - - last ordered organized electrical activity in heart prior to death - HR less than 20 bpm - without P waves and wide, bizarre QRS - rate is slow (often only one or two on tracing) Atrial Fibrillation - - irregular and rapid heart rate that increases risk of stroke and heart failure - No p waves before QRS on ECG Atrial Flutter - - when hearts beats extra fast - is a type of supra ventricular tachycardia Monomorphic ventricular tachycardia - when the QRS are all symmetrical - treatment is dependent if patient is stable or unstable Normal Sinus Rhythm - heart rhythm originating in the sinoatrial node with a rate in patients at rest of 60 to 100 beats per minute P waves - - atrial depolarization - atria are contracting Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia - - there are variable electrical activation sequences with QRS complexes with amplitude and axis Pulseness Electrical activity - - should produce a pulse but does not - found in 55% of people in cardiac arrest QRS complexs - ventricular depolarization - ventricular are contracting - atrial repolarization Second Degree atrioventricular block/ Mobitz I Wenckebach - - atrial rhythms will be regular - PR intervals gets longer until QRS is dropped Second Degree atrioventricular block/ Mobitz II block - - non conducted p waves - p waves are precedded by PR prolongations with a second degree AV black - fixed PR intervals - QRS complex is usually wide - caused by structural damage to the conduction system of the heart Sinus Bradycardia - - decrease in sinus rhythm caused by an decrease in electrical impulses SA node Sinus Tachycardia - - increased in sinus rhythm caused by an increased in SA node Supraventricular Tachycardia - - narrow QRS complex with a regular rhythms - inverted P waves may be seen - rapid heart rate will reduce the time ventricles have to fill T Waves - - ventricles are relaxing - ventricular repolarization Third Degree Atrioventricular Block - - nerve impulse generated by the SA node in the atrium of the heart cannot be propagated in the ventricles - is almost a complete heart block but P waves can be conducted Ventricular Fibrillation - - when the heart quivers instead of pumping due to disorganized electrical activity - type of cardia arrhythmia