Cardiac Electrophysiology & EKG

These flashcards cover key concepts in cardiac electrophysiology and electrocardiography, derived from the lecture notes.

What is the sequence of blood flow in the heart?

The sequence is: Right atrium > Right ventricle > Lungs > Left atrium > Left ventricle > Aorta.

Name the types of blood vessels going from the left heart to the right heart.

Arteries and veins are involved; arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart while veins return deoxygenated blood to the heart.

What are the layers of the blood vessel wall?

The three layers are the tunica intima, tunica media, and tunica externa.

Which vessels have the greatest surface area?

Capillaries have the greatest surface area among the blood vessels.

Which vessels contain the greatest blood volume?

Veins store the greatest volume of blood.

What are the main factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases?

Factors include hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, diabetes, and obesity.

What is the difference between angina pectoris and myocardial infarction?

Angina pectoris is temporary chest pain due to insufficient blood flow, while myocardial infarction refers to permanent heart damage due to prolonged blockage.

What are the phases of the cardiac action potential?

The phases are: Phase 0 (depolarization), Phase 1 (early repolarization), Phase 2 (plateau), Phase 3 (repolarization), and Phase 4 (resting).

What generates each wave and interval on an electrocardiogram?

P wave represents atrial depolarization; QRS complex indicates ventricular depolarization; T wave reflects ventricular repolarization.

How can you calculate the heart rate using a 12-lead electrocardiogram?

Count the number of large boxes between two contiguous QRS complexes and divide 300 by that number.

What unique features does the sinoatrial (SA) node have?

The SA node has automaticity, no true resting membrane potential, slower depolarization, and depolarization current carried by Ca2+.

What does a normal sinus rhythm (NSR) imply?

Normal sinus rhythm indicates that the heartbeat originates in the SA node at a rate of 60-100 bpm with a proper sequence of electrical activity.

What are common symptoms of conduction disorders?

Common symptoms include irregular heart rate, dizziness, fainting, fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest pain.

What are the characteristics of atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation is characterized by an irregular rhythm, absence of P waves, and can have a heart rate between 60 to 150 bpm.

What is the effect of the autonomic nervous system on heart function?

The parasympathetic system decreases heart rate while the sympathetic system increases heart rate and contractility.