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CHAPTER 29

Introduction to Ventricular Rhythms

Objectives

At the end of this chapter, the student should be able to:

  1. Define a ventricular complex and a ventricular rhythm. (p 470)
  2. Discuss the origins and the creation of the wide complex morphology typically found in ventricular complexes and rhythms. (pp 470–472)
  3. Compare the width of the QRS complexes when the depolarization wave to the ventricles takes place entirely through the cardiac conduction system, partially through the conduction system, and completely by direct cell-to-cell contact. (pp 470–471)
  4. Discuss the statement made in the text and in Figure 29-4 that the true interval measurement in a QRS complex is always the widest one. (pp 471–472)
  5. Predict the clinical outcome of slowing or blocking the pacemaker function of the myocardial cells. (pp 472, 474)
  6. Using your knowledge of vectors and the morphologies derived from their orientation, predict the appearance of a ventricular complex that originated in the right ventricular wall of the heart in lead V6. (p 473)
  7. Predict the appearance of any possible P waves that would be created by an ectopic ventricular complex. (pp 474–475)
  8. Discuss the association between ventricular rhythms and atrioventricular dissociation. (pp 475–477)
  9. Interpret the interactions between the ventricular rhythms and the clinical spectrum outlined on Figure 29-11. (p 478)
  10. Define Josephson’s sign and Brugada’s sign. (p 478)