DYSRHYTHMIA CHEAT SHEET
P-R
Dysrhtyhmia Description Etiology P Wave QRS Others
Interval
Slow discharge
from SA node.
R<60bpm,
Sleep, hypother-
regular mia hypothyroid-
Sinus
rhythm, may ism, vagal stimu- Normal Normal Normal
Bradycardia cause de- lation, suctioning,
creased
CO/hypertensi
increased ICP
on
Rapid dis-
charges from
SA node.
Hypotension,
More than hypovolemia,
Sinus
100bpm, regu- fever, anemia, Normal Normal Normal
Tachycardia lar rhythm, hypoxia, heart
may cause
decreased CO,
failure
MI
From an ec-
topic atrial May prelude su-
foci, usually praventricular
Premature with normal tachycardia.
conduction.
Atrial Stimulants, hy-
Irregular Abnormal Variable Normal
Contraction rhythm, im- perthyroidism,
(PAC) pulse may be COPD, infection
delayed or and heart diseas-
nonconducted,
es
varies in rate
From an
ecotopic focus
Paroxysmal above the
bundle of His, Exertion, Emo-
Supraventric-
“re-entry” rate tion, Stimulants, Abnormal
ular from 100 to
Variable Normal
Rheumatic Heart or Hidden
Tachycardia 300/minute,
Diseases
(SVT) regular
rhythm. May
decrease CO
Ectopic atrial
focus “re-
entry” Atrial CAD, Valve Prob-
rate is 250 to Saw-tooth
Atrial Flutter 400bpm, usu-
lem, Hyperthy- Variable Normal
Shaped
ally with slow roidism
ventricular
response
Total disor-
ganization,
atrial electrical Usually heart dis- May cause
activity with-
Atrial eases, also hy- Can’t be mural
out effective Chaotic Normal
Fibrillation atrial contrac- perthyroid, infec- measured thrombi
tion. tion formation
Atrial R 300 to
600/minute.
AB Conduction
First Degree Greater Ventricular
time is gradu- CAD, drugs, RH Normal Normal
AV Block ally prolonged than 0.20 rates may be
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until an atrial seconds slower
impulse is
nonconducted
and QRS is
dropped then
repeats
AV conduction
time is gradu-
Second- ally prolonged Progres- Normal
until an atrial Ventricular
Degree AV sive width one
impulse is MI, drugs Normal rates may be
Block—Type nonconducted Lengthen- not con-
slower
1 and QRS is ing ducted
dropped then
repeats
Atrial impulses
dropped,
Second De- without ante- Widened May pro-
cedent length-
gree AV Occurs in Normal or preceded by gress to
ening P-R CAD, MI, digoxin
Block—Type multiples Prolonged two or more third degree
2 Certain im- P waves AV block
pulses are not
conducted
No atrial im-
pulses con-
Third De- ducted, atrium Calcification of
and ventricle
gree— conduction sys- Normal or
contract sepa- Normal Variable
Complete AV rately, result is tem, CAD, cardi- Widened
Block decreased CO omyopathy
and heart
failure
From signle or
multiple ec-
topic focus in
ventricle.
May de-
Premature Ischemia, Stimu-
Not Widened crease CO.
Ventricular lants, hypokale-
Premature and None measura- and distort- Indicates
Contractions distorted QRS. mia, stress and
ble ed ventricular
(PVC) fever
Rate is 60 to
irritability
100bpm and
irregular
May cause
Run of three
or more PVCs,
profound
ventricular Not decreased
Ventricular MI, CAD, Some Usually Wide and
focus or foci measura- CO, immedi-
Tachycardia fire repeatedly. drugs none distorted
ble ate interven-
Rate is 110 to
250bpm
tion is need-
ed
Severe de-
rangement,
firing multiple
ventricular Ischemia, infarc- Not
Ventricular Wide and
foci. No effec- tion, CAD, cardi- None measura-
Fibrillation tive ventricular Distorted
omyopathy ble
contraction.
Terminal if
untreated.
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