Cardiac Rhythm Interpretation E-learning

The AV Blo cks The term AV block is used when there is delayed or failed conduction of impulses from the atria to the ventricles. AV blocks are classified according to the location of the block and the severity of the conduction abnormality. The following classification will be used in this course: First Degree AV Block Second Degree AV Block Third Degree AV Block First Degree AV Block The measurement of conduction time between the atria and ventricles is represented by the PR interval on electrocardiograms (ECG). This component includes the intra-atrial conduction, represented by the P wave, and the conduction from the AV node into the His-Purkinje   system. Prolongation of the PR interval of more than 200 milliseconds is considered to be a first-degree AV block. These can be due to structural abnormalities within the AV node, an increase in vagal tone, and drugs that slow conduction such as digoxin, beta-blockers. and calcium channel inhibitors. It is important to note that ...

THE 11 STEP METHOD 1. Other 2. Evaluate the P wave 3. Determine the rhythm 4. Determine the rate 5. Calculate the duration of the PR interval 6. Calculate the duration of the QRS complex 7. Evaluate the T wave 8. Calculate the duration of the QT interval 9.  Assess the ST segment 10. Interpretation 11. Treatment     THE 11 STEPS 1. Other Identify anything you consider unusual or obvious about the rhythm, e.g., extra P waves, inverted T waves. 2. Evaluate the P Wave           Are P waves present?           Do the P waves have a normal configuration?           Do all the P waves have a similar size and shape?           Is the P wave consistently followed by a QRS complex?          Is there a QRS after every P wave? 3. Determine the Rhythm You can use the pencil and paper method or the calipers method to assess whe...