Heart Dysrhythmias Cheat Sheet
, Heart Dysrhythmias Cheat Sheet
Arrhythmias Description Causes Treatment
Irregular atrial and Normal variation of Atropine if rate
ventricular normal sinus rhythm in decreases below 40bpm.
rhythms. athletes, children, and
Normal P wave the elderly.
Sinus Arrhythmia
preceding each QRS Can be seen in digoxin
complex. toxicity and inferior
wall MI.
Atrial and Normal physiologic Correction of
ventricular rhythms response to fever, underlying cause.
are regular. exercise, anxiety, Beta-adrenergic blockers
Rate > 100 bpm. dehydration, or or calcium channel
Normal P wave pain. blockers for
preceding each QRS May accompany symptomatic patients.
Sinus Tachycardia complex. shock, left-sided heart
failure, cardiac
tamponade,
hyperthyroidism, and
anemia.
Atropine, epinephrine,
quinidine, caffeine,
nicotine, and alcohol
use.
Regular atrial and Normal in a well- Follow ACLS protocol for
ventricular conditioned heart administration of
rhythms. (e.g., athletes). atropine for symptoms of
Rate < 60 bpm. Increased intracranial low cardiac output,
Sinus Bradycardia Normal P wave pressure; increased dizziness, weakness,
preceding each QRS vagal tone due to altered LOC, or low blood
complex. straining during pressure.
defecation, vomiting, Pacemaker
intubation, mechanical
ventilation.
Atrial and ventricular Infection Treat symptoms
rhythms normal except Coronary artery disease, with atropine I.V.
for missing complex. degenerative heart Temporary pacemaker
Sinoatrial (SA) Normal P wave disease, acute inferior or permanent
arrest or block preceding each QRS wall MI. pacemaker if considered
complex. Vagal stimulation, for repeated episodes.
Pause not equal to Valsalva’s maneuver,
multiple of the carotid sinus
previous rhythm. massage.
Atrial and ventricular Rheumatic carditis due No treatment if patient
Wandering atrial rhythms vary to inflammation is asymptomatic
pacemaker slightly. involving the SA node.
Irregular PR interval. Digoxin toxicity
, Heart Dysrhythmias Cheat Sheet
Arrhythmias Description Causes Treatment
Irregular atrial and Normal variation of Atropine if rate
ventricular normal sinus rhythm in decreases below 40bpm.
rhythms. athletes, children, and
Normal P wave the elderly.
Sinus Arrhythmia
preceding each QRS Can be seen in digoxin
complex. toxicity and inferior
wall MI.
Atrial and Normal physiologic Correction of
ventricular rhythms response to fever, underlying cause.
are regular. exercise, anxiety, Beta-adrenergic blockers
Rate > 100 bpm. dehydration, or or calcium channel
Normal P wave pain. blockers for
preceding each QRS May accompany symptomatic patients.
Sinus Tachycardia complex. shock, left-sided heart
failure, cardiac
tamponade,
hyperthyroidism, and
anemia.
Atropine, epinephrine,
quinidine, caffeine,
nicotine, and alcohol
use.
Regular atrial and Normal in a well- Follow ACLS protocol for
ventricular conditioned heart administration of
rhythms. (e.g., athletes). atropine for symptoms of
Rate < 60 bpm. Increased intracranial low cardiac output,
Sinus Bradycardia Normal P wave pressure; increased dizziness, weakness,
preceding each QRS vagal tone due to altered LOC, or low blood
complex. straining during pressure.
defecation, vomiting, Pacemaker
intubation, mechanical
ventilation.
Atrial and ventricular Infection Treat symptoms
rhythms normal except Coronary artery disease, with atropine I.V.
for missing complex. degenerative heart Temporary pacemaker
Sinoatrial (SA) Normal P wave disease, acute inferior or permanent
arrest or block preceding each QRS wall MI. pacemaker if considered
complex. Vagal stimulation, for repeated episodes.
Pause not equal to Valsalva’s maneuver,
multiple of the carotid sinus
previous rhythm. massage.
Atrial and ventricular Rheumatic carditis due No treatment if patient
Wandering atrial rhythms vary to inflammation is asymptomatic
pacemaker slightly. involving the SA node.
Irregular PR interval. Digoxin toxicity
