Remove Arrhythmia Remove Atrial Fibrillation Remove Dysrhythmia
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WHAT EXACTLY IS AN ARRHYTHMIA?

Dr. Sanjay Gupta

The word arrhythmia comes from two Greek words. So arrhythmia literally means absence or loss of rhythm. A cardiac arrhythmia therefore means loss of cardiac rhythm. It is important that the term dysrhythmia is never enough as a complete diagnosis.

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Atrial fibrillation? Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia? Don't look at computer read until AFTER you interpret!

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

Here is the computer interpretation: ATRIAL FIBRILLATION WITH RAPID VENTRICULAR RESPONSE WITH ABERRANT CONDUCTION OR VENTRICULAR PREMATURE COMPLEXES LEFT AXIS DEVIATION [QRS AXIS beyone -30] NONSPECIFIC ST and T-WAVE ABNORMALITY The over-reading physician confirmed this diagnosis, which is incorrect. It is not atrial fibrillation.

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A teenager involved in a motor vehicle collision with abnormal ECG

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

Atrial fibrillation is also a predictor of worse outcomes in this case (Alborzi). See these publications for more information Overall, management for cardiac contusion is mostly supportive unless surgical complications develop, involving appropriate treatment of dysrhythmias and hemodynamic instability. QTc prolongation.

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Back to basics: what is this rhythm? What are your options for treating this patient?

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

But adenosine only lasts for seconds, and if the dysrhythmia recurs, then the adenosine is gone. Prevent the initiation of the dysrhythmia -- this can be done with a beta blocker by prenenting PACS 2. This includes sinus tachycardia, atrial fibrillation or flutter, MAT, and others. Smith: should we give adenosine again?

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60-something with wide complex tachycardia: from where does the rhythm originate?

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

Inferior MI results in scar tissue which is a likely source of a re-entrant ventricular dysrhythmia. There are 6 KEY parameters to consider in systematic assessment of any arrhythmia. Knowing the rhythm is precisely regular rules out any possibility of atrial fibrillation — and facilitates calculation of heart rate.

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Diffuse Subendocardial Ischemia on the ECG. Left main? 3-vessel disease? No!

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

myocardial infarction), arrhythmias, valvular pathology, shunts, or outflow obstructions. Smith comment: In a large randomized trial of dopamine vs. norepinephrine (11) for shock which was published after the above-mentioned recommendations, dopamine had more adverse events (especially severe dysrhythmias, and especially atrial fibrillation).

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New Onset Heart Failure and Frequent Prolonged SVT. What is it? Management?

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

Here is one full text article on the topic from Clinical Cardiology 2008: Diagnostic Approach and Treatment Strategy in Tachycardia-induced Cardiomyopathy Atrial Tachycardia (AT): another SVT in the ED Rapid dysrhythmia from non-sinus focus above AV node. This is a “ generic ” term.