CARDIAC RHYTHMS TABLE

RHYTHM	P WAVE	PR INTERVAL	QRS RATE & RHYTHM	COMMENT
(NSR) Normal Sinus Rhythm	before each QRS, look alike	constant regular 0.12-0.20 sec	60-100, rate follows atrial <.10	SA is pacer
(SArrhy) Sinus Arrhythmia	before each QRS	constant	60-100 irregular, phasic variation with or without respiration	Rate increases with inspiration, decreases with expiration or drugs. Common in young & aged. SA node & lungs both innervated by vagus nerve.
(SB) Sinus Bradycardia	before each QRS	constant	<60 & regular rate follows atrial	Not often below 40. Athletes, pain, meds
(ST) Sinus Tachycardia	before each QRS	constant	>100 & regular, but may vary a little. Rate follows atrial.	Seldom above 160. May be higher in children.
(PAC) premature atrial beat	premature P, may have abnormal configuration	often different than in sinus cycles	if conducted, a premature QRS will be present	Usually no compensatory pause. Palpitation
(SVT) Supraventricular tachycardia	depends on source- before, during, after QRS -upright or inverted	may not occur, may be constant or variable	depends on origin of tachycardia. Often regular.	May have adrupt onset & termination. Carotid pressure may terminate.
(A Fib) Atrial fibrillation	no atrial contraction, no P	none	slow or rapid ventricular response.	irregular pulse
(AFl) Atrial Flutter	saw tooth baseline	constant or variable	depends on amount of AVB- often 75, 100. or 150. Regular QRS or irregular	Carotid pressure may produce temporary slowing & unveil the flutter waves.
(PVC) Premature Ventricular Contraction	none preceding the premature QRS	none	not applicable	QRS broad. Not preceded by premature P & usually does not interrupt the atrial
(VT) Ventricular Tachycardia	usually not seen. If present not related to QRS	variable	usually 100-200, often slightly irregular	QRS broad & different
(V Fib) Ventriclur Fibrillation	none	none	not well defined QRS complexes	No palpable pulse & no audible heart tone
Junctional Dysrhythmia	abnormal in shape & size. May precede, follow, or be buried in QRS	if present <0.10 sec	QRS normal unless P is buried in it.	May need Pacemaker for slow rates
1st degree AV Block	before each QRS. Delayed P	>0.20 & constant	regular	May be a warning for 2nd or 3rd degree block will follow.
(Wenckebach) 2nd degree AV block Mobitz 1	normal AV note dysfunction	progressively longer until a P wave is not conducted	QRS normal with an occassional one dropped. Atrial rate normal & > than ventricular rate	May progress to a complete block.
2nd degee AV block Mobitz II	normal P, Purkinje dysfunction	constant	atrial/venticular rate 2:1,3:1,4:1 QRS may be normal or widened.	Slow ventricular responses require treatment.
3rd degree AV block Complete Heart Block	occurs without relationship to QRS. Atrial is faster.	variable	usually below 60 & usually regular	Ectopic nodal or focus. Spells of sycope (Stokes Adams Attacks). May be due to ventricular asystole, tachycardia, or fibrillation

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