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DYSRHYTHMIA CHEAT SHEET

Dysrhtyhmia Description Etiology P Wave P-R

Interval QRS Others

Sinus

Bradycardia

Slow discharge

from SA node.

R

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until an atrial

impulse is

nonconducted

and QRS is

dropped then

repeats

seconds slower

Second-

Degree AV

BlockType

1

AV conduction

time is gradu-

ally prolonged

until an atrial

impulse is

nonconducted

and QRS is

dropped then

repeats

MI, drugs Normal

Progres-

sive

Lengthen-

ing

Normal

width one

not con-

ducted

Ventricular

rates may be

slower

Second De-

gree AV

BlockType

2

Atrial impulses

dropped,

without ante-

cedent length-

ening P-R

Certain im-

pulses are not

conducted

CAD, MI, digoxin Occurs in

multiples

Normal or

Prolonged

Widened

preceded by

two or more

P waves

May pro-

gress to

third degree

AV block

Third De-

gree

Complete AV

Block

No atrial im-

pulses con-

ducted, atrium

and ventricle

contract sepa-

rately, result is

decreased CO

and heart

failure

Calcification of

conduction sys-

tem, CAD, cardi-

omyopathy

Normal Variable Normal or

Widened

Premature

Ventricular

Contractions

(PVC)

From signle or

multiple ec-

topic focus in

ventricle.

Premature and

distorted QRS.

Rate is 60 to

100bpm and

irregular

Ischemia, Stimu-

lants, hypokale-

mia, stress and

fever

None

Not

measura-

ble

Widened

and distort-

ed

May de-

crease CO.

Indicates

ventricular

irritability

Ventricular

Tachycardia

Run of three

or more PVCs,

ventricular

focus or foci

fire repeatedly.

Rate is 110 to

250bpm

MI, CAD, Some

drugs

Usually

none

Not

measura-

ble

Wide and

distorted

May cause

profound

decreased

CO, immedi-

ate interven-

tion is need-

ed

Ventricular

Fibrillation

Severe de-

rangement,

firing multiple

ventricular

foci. No effec-

tive ventricular

contraction.

Terminal if

untreated.

Ischemia, infarc-

tion, CAD, cardi-

omyopathy

None

Not

measura-

ble

Wide and

Distorted