4. Premature atrial complexes (pacs):
An atrial premature complexes results from premature, ectopic,
supraventricular impulse that originates somewhere in the atria
outside of the SA node
6. CHARACTERISTICS OF PACs:
RATE RHYTHM P-WAVE PR-INTERVAL QRS COMPLEX
Usually
Normal
Irregular Premature
and abnormal
or hidden
Normal or
prolong
depends on
prematurity
Normal or wide
7. Treatment of PAC:
If symptomatic, eliminate the triggering factors
such as caffeine, alcohol.
For frequent PACs, drugs such as beta-adrenergic
blockers and calcium channel blockers.
8. ATRIAL TACHYCARDIA:
Atrial Tachycardia is a rapid atrial rhythm at a rate of 100 to 250
beats per minute that arises from a single site within the right or
left atrium.
This rhythm may be due to rapid firing of an ectopic atrial focus
that allows an impulse to travel rapidly and repeatedly around a
pathway in the atria.
10. Characteristics of Atrial tachycardia:
Rate:
Atrial: 100 – 200 bpm
Ventricular: same or slower
Rhythm: regular unless
block.
P-wave: differs from sinus,
may be hidden preceding T
wave
PR-interval: usually normal
but difficult to measure
QRS: normal or widen
12. Multi-focal atrial tachycardia (MAT)
MAT (also known as chaotic AT) is rapid firing of several
ectopic atrial foci at a rate faster than 100 beats per minute.
14. CHARACTERISTICS:
P-wave: varies
Rate: 100-130 bpm
Rhythm: irregular
P-wave: vary in shape, at
least three diff P-wave
identified.
PR-interval: may vary
QRS Complex: normal
QT interval: may be discernable
T-wave: distorted.
15. TREATMENT:
Treatment of MAT is directed toward eliminating the
underlying causes, including hypoxia and electrolyte
imbalances.
β-Blockers, verapamil, amiodarone, and magnesium
If MAT is chronic and unresponsive to drug therapy,
radiofrequency ablation of the AV node and insertion of a
permanent pacemaker may be necessary to control the
ventricular rate.
16. ATRIAL FLUTTER:
Atrial flutter is an organized atrial rhythm in which the atria
are depolarized at rates of 250 to 440 times per minute.
19. TREATMENT:
If patient haemodynamically unstable, and with atrial flutter of 48 hours
or less, immediate synchronized electrical cardioversion
With atrial flutter of more than 48 hours, anticoagulation therapy before
and after cardioversion
With normal heart function, beta adrenergic blockers such metoprolol or
calcium channel blockers such as Diltazem
With impaired heart function (heart failure of EF below 40%) Digoxin or
Amiodarone
Ablation therapy.
20. ATRIAL FIBRILLATION:
Atrial Fibrillation is an extremely rapid and disorganized pattern of
depolarization in the atria.
Paroxysmal
PersistentPermanent
22. Characteristics of Atrial Fibrillation:
•Rate:
•Atrial: 400 – 600 bpm
•Vent: 60-100, depends on AV
blocks
•Rhythm: irregular
•P-wave: absent, irregular F-waves seen
•PR-interval: not measurable
•QRS Complex: normal
23. TREATMENT:
Patient with normal heart function experiencing Atrial fibrillation:
More than 48 hours: Calcium channel blockers, beta-adrenergic blockers
Less than 48 hours: Amiodarone, procanamide
Patient with impaired heart function: Digoxin, Diltazem
Elective cardioversion
Anticoagulation therapy.
24. WANDERING ATRIAL PACEMAKER:
Wandering atrial pacemakers produces a supraventricular rhythm in
which pacemaker impulses originate from two or more sites in the
SA node, atria or AV junction and discharge at a rate of 60 to 100
beats per minute.
26. CHARACTERISTICS:
Rate: varies but within normal limits
Rhythm:
Atria: Varies with irregular P-P interval
Vent: Varies with irregular R-R interval
P-wave: differs
PR-interval: varies from beat to beat
QRS complex: normal
27. TREATMENT:
Usually no treatment if patient is asymptomatic.
If symptomatic treatment for wandering atrial pacemaker is geared
towards resolving the underlying cause.