Cardiac arrythmia 1

Summary

This presentation covers cardiac arrhythmias, disturbances in the heart's normal rhythm, and the mechanisms behind them. The video explains the normal conduction of the heart, with emphasis on sinus bradycardia, sinus tachycardia, and their respective causes and symptoms. It further delves into the clinical features, classifications, and ECG findings of various arrhythmias, including atrial tachycardia and atrial flutter. The presentation also addresses conditions like sinus node dysfunction and tachycardia mechanisms such as re-entry and increased automaticity. Treatment options range from medication to procedures like pacemaker implantation and catheter ablation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Cardiac arrhythmia refers to an abnormal heart rhythm, where the heart rate deviates from the normal 60-90 beats per minute range.
• 😀 Common types of cardiac arrhythmias include bradycardia (slow heart rate) and tachycardia (fast heart rate), with sinus bradycardia and sinus tachycardia being prevalent forms.
• 😀 The normal conduction system of the heart involves impulses generated in the SA node, traveling to the AV node, bundle branches, and Purkinje fibers to trigger heart muscle contraction.
• 😀 Sinus arrhythmia is a normal physiological phenomenon where heart rate increases during inspiration and decreases during expiration, often seen in children.
• 😀 Sinus bradycardia, with a heart rate below 60 bpm, is common in healthy individuals, especially athletes, and usually requires no treatment unless symptomatic.
• 😀 Sinus tachycardia, with a heart rate above 100 bpm, can occur due to conditions like fever, anemia, or hypoxia and may present with symptoms like anxiety, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
• 😀 Tachycardia is the most common form of cardiac arrhythmia, and it can be classified as either narrow complex or wide complex depending on the ECG waveform.
• 😀 Mechanisms of tachycardia include increased automaticity, re-entry, and triggered activity, which cause spontaneous depolarization leading to abnormal heart rhythms.
• 😀 Sinus 6 syndrome involves sinus node dysfunction, resulting in both bradycardia and tachycardia, often presenting with symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, and syncope.
• 😀 Atrial ectopic beats are usually asymptomatic and appear as premature beats with abnormal P-wave morphology, while ventricular ectopic beats can lead to more serious arrhythmias like ventricular tachycardia.

Q & A

What is cardiac arrhythmia?

Cardiac arrhythmia refers to the absence or disturbance of the normal cardiac rhythm. It is a condition where the heart's electrical rhythm is disrupted, which can result in abnormal heart rates and rhythms.

What is the normal heart rate range?

The normal heart rate for an adult is between 60 to 90 beats per minute.

What are the common forms of cardiac arrhythmia?

Common forms of cardiac arrhythmias include bradycardia (heart rate less than 60 beats per minute) and tachycardia (heart rate more than 100 beats per minute).

What is sinus arrhythmia, and does it require treatment?

Sinus arrhythmia is a physiological phenomenon where the heart rate increases during inspiration and decreases during expiration. It is common in children and does not require treatment as it is a normal variation in heart rhythm.

What conditions can lead to sinus bradycardia?

Sinus bradycardia can occur in healthy individuals at rest, particularly in athletes. It may also be caused by intrinsic factors such as sick sinus syndrome, conduction system diseases, coronary artery disease, or by extrinsic factors like certain drugs or hypothyroidism.

When is treatment needed for sinus bradycardia?

Treatment for sinus bradycardia is necessary when the condition is symptomatic or severe, leading to fatigue, dizziness, or syncope. In some cases, pacemaker implantation may be required for patients with recurrent or persistent symptoms.

What causes sinus tachycardia?

Sinus tachycardia, where the heart rate exceeds 100 beats per minute, can be caused by factors such as exercise, anemia, dehydration, fever, infections, hypoxia, or chronic pulmonary disease.

What are the symptoms of tachycardia?

Symptoms of tachycardia include anxiety, dizziness, chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, and fainting. It is often associated with an increased heart rate, typically above 100 beats per minute.

What are the mechanisms behind tachycardia?

Tachycardia can be caused by three main mechanisms: increased automaticity (spontaneous depolarization from an ectopic focus), re-entry (where the tachycardia is sustained by a re-entry circuit), and triggered activity (secondary depolarization leading to ventricular arrhythmias).

What is atrial flutter and how is it treated?

Atrial flutter is a type of cardiac arrhythmia characterized by a very high heart rate (over 300 beats per minute). The ECG typically shows a 'sawtooth' pattern for the P-waves. Treatment options include beta blockers, digoxin, catheter ablation, and DC cardioversion to restore normal sinus rhythm.