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DYSRHYTHMIAS (A.k.a. Arrhythmias) Disorders in The

This document defines and classifies different types of cardiac dysrhythmias or arrhythmias. It describes arrhythmias as disorders in the formation or conduction of electrical impulses within the heart. The main types of arrhythmias are sinus, atrial, ventricular, junctional, and heart blocks. Each type has several subcategories that describe where the irregular electrical impulse originates and the pattern it causes. An electrocardiogram is used to diagnose arrhythmias. Treatment may involve cardioversion, defibrillation, or antiarrhythmic medications.

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Darell M. Book
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545 views3 pages

DYSRHYTHMIAS (A.k.a. Arrhythmias) Disorders in The

This document defines and classifies different types of cardiac dysrhythmias or arrhythmias. It describes arrhythmias as disorders in the formation or conduction of electrical impulses within the heart. The main types of arrhythmias are sinus, atrial, ventricular, junctional, and heart blocks. Each type has several subcategories that describe where the irregular electrical impulse originates and the pattern it causes. An electrocardiogram is used to diagnose arrhythmias. Treatment may involve cardioversion, defibrillation, or antiarrhythmic medications.

Uploaded by

Darell M. Book
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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DYSRHYTHMIAS (a.k.a.

Arrhythmias) > disorders in the atrial formation or conduction of


electrical impulses within the heart. Signs & symptoms vary according to the type of
dysrhythmia, but the most common is palpitations.
Diagnostic Test: Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Classification of Cardiac Dysrhythmias:
1. SINUS
a. Sinus Bradycardia – impulse (< 60) in the sinus node created at a slower rate with
regular rhythm.

b. Sinus Tachycardia – impulse (100-120) in the sinus node created at a faster rate with
regular rhythm.

c. Sinus Arrhythmia – impulse (60-100) in the sinus node is created at an irregular


rhythm.

2. ATRIAL
a. Premature Atrial Complex – “skipped beats” or “missed beats” single ECG complex
that occurs when an electrical impulse starts in the atrium prior to the next normal
impulse of the sinus node.

b. Atrial Flutter – impulses are created at a regular rate between 250 and 400 times/min.
Saw-toothed shape (F waves).

c. Atrial Fibrillation – rapid disorganized uncoordinated twitching of atrial musculature.


3. VENTRICULAR

a. Premature Ventricular Complex – firing of irritable pacemaker in the ventricles


before the next normal sinus impulse. DANGER if >6/min coupled with normal beat
(bigeminy), in pairs after every third beat (trigeminy), resulted from acute MI.

b. Ventricular Tachycardia – 3 or more PVCs in a row at a rate exceeding 100 bpm


maybe unresponsive or pulseless. Torsade de pointes a form of VT in which the QRS
complexes are continually changing.

c. Ventricular Fibrillation – life threatening dysrhythmia with disorganize ventricular


rhythm which can cause abrupt cessation of effective cardiac output. It is characterized
by absence of audible heartbeat, palpable pulse and respirations.

4. JUNCTIONAL ARRHYTHMIAS
a. Premature Junctional Complex – impulse that starts in the AV nodal area before the
next normal sinus impulse reaches the AV node.

b. Junctional Rhythm – AV node becomes the pacemaker of the heart (40-60 bpm).

c. Nonparoxysmal Junctional Tachycardia – improved automaticity in the junctional


area which leads to a rhythm similar to junctional rhythm but with a higher rate of 70-
120.
d. Nodal Reentry Tachycardia – impulse is conducted to an area in the AV node &
rerouted back into the same area repeatedly at a very fast rate. Atrial rate of 150-250 and
Ventricular rate of 75-250.

5. HEART BLOCKS (a.k.a. AV Blocks)


a. 1st Degree AV block – all atrial impulses are conducted into the AV node at a slower
rate than normal.

b. 2nd Degree AV block Type I (Mobitz I or Wenkebach) – all but one of a series of
atrial impulses are conducted through the AV node.

c. 2nd Degree AV block Type II (Mobitz II) – only some atrial impulses conducted to the
AV node.

d. 3rd Degree AV block – no atrial impulse is conducted to the AV node.

Management:
• Cardioversion or Defibrillation
• Antiarrhythmic agents (beta blockers, lidocaine, etc.)

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