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This sinus rhythm is important because it ensures that the heart's atria reliably contract before the ventricles, ensuring as optimal stroke volume and cardiac output. [ 4 ] In junctional rhythm, however, the sinoatrial node does not control the heart's rhythm – this can happen in the case of a block in conduction somewhere along the pathway ...
A resting electrocardiogram (EKG) is an early step in the diagnostic process. [11] An electrocardiogram (EKG) involves the use of electrodes that are placed on the arms, chest, and legs. [29] These sensors detect any abnormal rhythms that the heart may be producing. This test is painless and it helps detect insufficient blood flow to the heart ...
Myocardial infarction; Other names: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI), heart attack: A myocardial infarction occurs when an atherosclerotic plaque slowly builds up in the inner lining of a coronary artery and then suddenly ruptures, causing catastrophic thrombus formation, totally occluding the artery and preventing blood flow downstream to the heart muscle.
A cascade is a series of events in which one event triggers the next, in a linear fashion. Thus "ischemic cascade" is actually a misnomer, since the events are not always linear: in some cases they are circular, and sometimes one event can cause or be caused by multiple events. [4]
The most common symptom of arrhythmia is an awareness of an abnormal heartbeat, called palpitations. These may be infrequent, frequent, or continuous. Some of these arrhythmias are harmless (though distracting for patients) but some of them predispose to adverse outcomes. Arrhythmias also cause chest pain and shortness of breath. [citation needed]
Ventricular fibrillation (V-fib or VF) is an abnormal heart rhythm in which the ventricles of the heart quiver. [2] It is due to disorganized electrical activity. [2] Ventricular fibrillation results in cardiac arrest with loss of consciousness and no pulse. [1]
Acute coronary syndrome is subdivided in three scenarios depending primarily on the presence of electrocardiogram (ECG) changes and blood test results (a change in cardiac biomarkers such as troponin levels): [4] ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), or unstable angina. [5]
An embolism can cause ischemia—damage to an organ from lack of oxygen. [1] A paradoxical embolism is a specific type of embolism in which the embolus travels from the right side of the heart (venous circulation) to the left side of the heart (arterial circulation) and lodges itself in a blood vessel known as an artery . [ 2 ]