Key Points Defined by a PR interval >200 ms with consistent 1:1 AV conduction and no dropped QRS complexes. Conduction delay is most often at the AV node; His–Purkinje delay…
Key Points: Unstable bradyarrhythmias cause poor perfusion which can rapidly progress to shock, irreversible organ injury, or cardiac arrest. Priority: Do not treat the heart rate alone — treat clinical…
Key Points BRASH is a synergistic spiral: bradycardia, renal failure, therapeutic AV-nodal blockade, shock, and hyperkalemia. The signature clue is disproportionate brady-shock despite only modest potassium elevation. Do not be…
Key Points: Definition: Third-degree AV block is complete failure of conduction from atria to ventricles, resulting in independent atrial and ventricular activity—known as AV dissociation. Hallmark Feature: No P waves…
Key Points Definition: A severe form of second-degree AV block with two or more consecutive non‑conducted P waves (for example 3:1, 4:1). Do not force a Mobitz label when multiple…
Key Point Narrow QRS bradycardias are often related to vagal tone or reversible causes, but not always benign. Certain AV blocks and conduction abnormalities may still carry significant risk, even…
Key Points Definition: Progressive PR interval prolongation until one atrial impulse fails to conduct to the ventricles (P wave is non-conducted), after which the cycle repeats. Site of Block: Typically…
Key Points Definition: A form of second-degree AV block in which every other atrial impulse is blocked, producing a 2:1 atrioventricular conduction ratio. Typing Limitation: Differentiating between Mobitz I and…
Key Points Definition: Sudden failure of AV conduction after at least two consecutive conducted beats with identical PR intervals, followed by a single non‑conducted P wave. Sinus rate: P–P interval…
Key Points Wide QRS Complex Rhythm: Ventricular escape rhythms (aka idioventricular rhythms) are characterized by a wide QRS duration (>120 ms), absent or dissociated P-waves, and a regular, slow ventricular…
Key Points Narrow QRS Complexes typically indicate junctional escape rhythms, originating near the AV node or proximal His-Purkinje system. These generally have a more favorable prognosis. Wide QRS Complexes suggest…
Key Points Definition: Sinus bradycardia is a rhythm originating from the sinoatrial (SA) node with a rate < 60 bpm. Physiological Occurrence: Common in young, healthy adults, athletes, and during…
Key Points Spectrum, not one rhythm: Look for sinus brady, pauses, arrest, alternating atrial tachyarrhythmias (AF, flutter, ATach). Symptoms matter: Syncope, presyncope, fatigue usually come from cerebral/systemic hypoperfusion, especially after…
Key Points Common Offenders: Beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and digoxin often top the list of medication-induced bradycardia. High Vagal Tone or AV Block can arise from structural heart disease, ischemia,…
Key Point Wide QRS bradycardias usually reflect infranodal conduction disease (His–Purkinje or below), making them much more dangerous than narrow QRS bradycardias. These rhythms often lead to hemodynamic instability and…