Cardiac Rhythms

Catalog description

This is an introductory course designed for respiratory therapists. It covers the recognition and interpretation of cardiac dysrhythmias. The course also covers basic cardiac anatomy, normal cardiac cell functions and properties, electrical activity of the heart and ECG wave forms followed with a discussion of the mechanisms of cardiac dysrhythmias by their site of origin, e.g., atria, junctional, etc. Recognition and interpretation are facilitated by the use of actual ECG strips in class and as part of homework assignments. The recognition of rhythm changes during respiratory therapy procedures is stressed.