What Do You Know About Electrophysiology? Trivia Quiz

The sinoatrial node (SA node), also known as sinus node, is a group of cells located in the wall of the right atrium of the heart. These cells have the ability to spontaneously produce an electrical impulse, that travels through the heart via the electrical conduction system causing it to contract. In a healthy heart, the SA node continuously produces action potential, setting the rhythm of the heart and so is known as the heart's natural pacemaker.

The statement is true because the QT interval on an ECG represents the time it takes for the ventricles of the heart to depolarize and then repolarize. It is an important measurement in evaluating the electrical activity of the heart and can provide information about the risk of certain cardiac conditions, such as arrhythmias.

The absolute refractory period refers to the period immediately after the firing of a nerve fiber when it is unable to be stimulated, regardless of the strength of the stimulus. During this time, the nerve fiber is in a state of temporary inactivity and cannot generate another action potential. This is a protective mechanism that ensures proper signaling and prevents excessive firing of the nerve fiber. Therefore, the statement that the period immediately following the firing of a nerve fiber when it cannot be stimulated, regardless of the stimulus strength, is true.

Papillary muscles are the structures that support the cusps of the Tricuspid and Mitral valves in the heart. These muscles are located in the ventricles and are attached to the valves by chordae tendineae. When the ventricles contract, the papillary muscles also contract, pulling on the chordae tendineae and preventing the valves from prolapsing or inverting into the atria. This ensures that blood flows in the correct direction through the heart, preventing backflow and maintaining efficient circulation.

The given statement is false. Systole is actually the phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscle contracts and pumps blood out of the chambers. Diastole, on the other hand, is the phase when the heart muscle relaxes and allows the chambers to fill with blood.

The correct order of events in the Cardiac Conduction System is as follows:
1. Impulse Formation at the SA Node
2. Delay at the AV node
3. Depolarization of the Left and Right Atrium
4. Conduction at The Bundle Branches
5. Conduction Through the Purkinje Fibers
6. The Mechanical Contraction of the Ventricle, or Systole
7. The Mechanical Relaxation of the Ventricle, or Diastole

The correct answer is 3 because the right atrium of the heart typically has three main openings or entries: the superior vena cava, the inferior vena cava, and the coronary sinus. These openings allow blood to enter the right atrium from different parts of the body, including the upper body, lower body, and the heart's own blood supply.

ECG stands for electrocardiogram, which is a graphic surface recording of electrical cardiac events. It is not a recording made from an electrode placed in the heart. Therefore, option 1 is true and option 2 is false.

RF Cardiac Ablation is a procedure used to treat abnormal electrical impulses in the heart by ablating or destroying the affected heart tissues. This is done using an Ablation Catheter connected to an RF Generator, which delivers RF Energy (a low-voltage, high frequency current) to the heart tissues. Additionally, the Ablation Catheter can also deliver Nitrous Oxide to freeze and destroy arrhythmogenic tissues. Therefore, all three statements provided are correct.

*##*Coronary Sinus, Inferior & Superior Vena Cava carries deoxygenated blood to the Right Atrium*##*Pulmonary Veins carry oxygenated blood to the Left Atrium. Aorta pumps the blood to all parts of the body

An Electrophysiology study is used by doctors to determine the source of an arrhythmia, evaluate the effectiveness of certain medications in treating the arrhythmia, and decide if treatment should be done through cardiac ablation or the use of a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator. Therefore, "None of the Above is Incorrect" is the correct response as it accurately represents the purposes of an Electrophysiology study.

Re-entrant arrhythmia occurs when there is a re-entry circuit in a specific area of the heart, not necessarily involving the entire chamber. It can cause abnormal electrical impulses and irregular heartbeats, but it does not necessarily result in the entire chamber quivering with chaotic electric impulses. Therefore, the statement is false.

Atrial Fibrillation, Atrial Flutter, Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia, and Wolf Parkinson White Syndrome are arrhythmias that originate in the atria. These conditions involve abnormal electrical activity in the atria, leading to irregular heart rhythms. Premature Ventricular Contractions and Ventricular Fibrillation, on the other hand, originate in the ventricles, not the atria.

ECG I, II & III are Limb Leads because they are derived from the electrical activity between the limbs. These leads provide information about the electrical activity of the heart in the frontal plane. On the other hand, ECG V1 - V6 are Chest/Precordial Leads. These leads are placed on the chest to provide information about the electrical activity of the heart in the horizontal plane.

The SA Node is the heart's natural pacemaker, located in the wall of the right atrium of the heart. Its main role is to initiate action potentials and conduct the normal electrical impulse from the atria to the ventricles. Therefore, statements i, ii, and iv are true.

The P-R interval represents the conduction time from the beginning of atrial excitation to the beginning of ventricular excitation. It is measured from the onset of the P wave to the beginning of the QRS complex. This interval reflects the time it takes for the electrical signal to travel from the atria to the ventricles, allowing for coordinated contraction and efficient blood pumping.

The correct statements are that ICD stands for Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator, ICD is a battery operated device which is permanently implanted into the body, If your ICD has a pacemaker feature when your heartbeat is too slow, it works as a pacemaker and sends tiny electric signals to your heart, and When your heartbeat is too fast or chaotic, it gives defibrillation shocks to stop the abnormal rhythm.

Slow-slow AVNRT is a type of atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia where both the antegrade and retrograde limbs of the reentry circuit have slow conduction properties. This means that the electrical signals in both directions through the atrioventricular node are slow, resulting in a slower heart rate during the tachycardia. This type of AVNRT is less common compared to other types and may require different treatment approaches.