Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Arrest Rhythms
Asystole PEA Vfib/pulseless Vtach
Agonal Rhythm/Asystole
Note that PEA can look like any rhythm (any organized electrical activity), but if no pulse it is PEA
Non-Arrest Rhythms
One very important thing that seems like it should be easy but I always have to remember how to do: determine the rate Find a QRS complex that is closest to a dark vertical line. Then count the number of big boxes until the next QRS complex. For each big box you pass, select the next number off the mnemonic "300-150100-75-60-50" to estimate the rate. Alternatively, you can count the number of big boxes between two QRS complexes and divide 300 by that number.
Sinus Tachycardia
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial flutter
This is a regular, narrow complex tachycardia without P waves, usually with a sudden onset and cessation
With ventricular rhythms, QRS is usually wide. V tach is more organized electrical activity than v fib, but v tach often deteriorates into v fib so both are very bad!
Torsades de Pointes
Sinus Bradycardia
Note the rate <60 bpm. Could be physiologic or symptomatic depending on the patient.
st 1
Degree AV Block
Note the progressive lengthening of the PR interval until one P wave (arrow) is not followed by a QRS
nd 2
Note the regular P waves and regular ventricular escape beats but no relationship between the P waves and escape beats.