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Introduction to Arrhythmias: Difference between revisions
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Arrhythmias (non-normal heart rhythms) can be a challenge to the person who tries to understand them. But with a systematical approach, diagnosis is often less difficult than it seems at the beginning. | Arrhythmias (non-normal heart rhythms) can be a challenge to the person who tries to understand them. But with a systematical approach, diagnosis is often less difficult than it seems at the beginning. | ||
''' | ==Interpretation of the heart rhythm== | ||
A good stepwise approach to interprete the heart rhythm is to follow these steps: | |||
* '''Cherchez le P''', French for ''find the P waves''. | |||
** Do you see P waves? Leads II and V1 are often most suitable to find P waves. | |||
** What is the [[rate]] of the P waves? | |||
** What is the [[P wave morphology]]? | |||
* What is the relationship between P waves and QRS complexes? | |||
** Is every P wave followed by a QRS complex? And every QRS preceded by a P wave? In short: is there a 1:1 relation between P waves and QRS complexes? | |||
** What is the [[Conduction|PR interval]] and does it change? | |||
*What is the ventricular [[Rate|heart rate]]? | |||
*>100 bpm = tachycardia | *>100 bpm = tachycardia | ||
*<60 bpm = bradycardia | *<60 bpm = bradycardia | ||
*are there extra beats? -> [[Ectopic Beats]] | *are there extra beats? -> [[Ectopic Beats]] | ||
* What is the [[QRS morphology]]? | |||
* What is the clinical setting? | |||
Secondly it is important to assess the '''origin of the arrhythmia''': | Secondly it is important to assess the '''origin of the arrhythmia''': | ||