12 Lead EKGs Flashcards
Current moving toward the positive pole will produce a
positive deflection on the EKG
Current moving toward the negative pole will produce a
negative deflection on the EKG
A lead that has a negative pole and a positive pole is
a bipolar lead
Unipolar leads
utilize the center of the heart as the negative point and the lead is the positive pole.
When the current is flowing perpendicular to the lead, it produces what kind of wave?
biphasic.
What leads are in the heart’s frontal plane and what kind of electrode are they
Leads I, II, III, aVR. aVL, and aVF.
Bipolar
What leads are in the heart’s horizontal plane and what kind of electrode are they
V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6.
Unipolar
What is Eintoven’s Triangle
Its made up by leads I, II, and III. (Rule of Ls)
What are the Augmented Limb Leads
aVR, aVL, and aVF.
aV stands for augmented vector.
What is the systematic approach to reading EKGs
- ) Rate
- ) Rhythm
- ) Axis
- ) Intervals
- ) Morphology
What is the Axis looking at?
The overall direction of electrical conduction through the heart.
What is the normal axis?
-30 degrees (aVL) to 90 degrees (aVF). (downward and leftward).
Abnormal axis suggests what?
A change in shape or orientation of the heart, or a defect in the conduction system that causes the ventricles to depolarize in an abnormal way.
If I and aVF have positive deflections of a QRS it is a
normal axis
If I and aVF do not have positive deflections, what do you do to determine axis?
Look at the most isoelectric/eqiphasic lead, and the axis is perpendicular to that lead.
In the rule of thumbs, which lead is which
Left thumb is lead I
Right thumb is lead aVF
Left axis deviation can mean what?
Left anterior fascicular block LBBB LV hypertrophy Inferior MI Ventricular Ectopy Paced rhythm WPW
Right axis deviation can mean what?
Can be normal Left posterior fascicular block Lateral MI RV Hypertrophy Acute lung disease (PE) Chronic lung disease (COPD) Ventricular ectopy Hyperkalemia Na channel blocker toxicity WPW
P wave can be biphasic in which lead?
V1
T wave should always be what direction
Should always be upright.
What shows right atrial enlargement?
Peaked P wave in V1 or inferior leads.
Greater than 1.5 mm in V1
Greater than 2.5 mm in II
What is the most common cause of right atrial enlargement?
Pulmonary hypertension
Left atrial enlargement
Wider terminal negative portion of the P wave in V1, at least 0.04
Notched wide P waves in inferior leads (II, 0.12 seconds long)
Biatrial enlargement
Peaked and broad Ps in the inferior leads, at least 2.5 mm tall and 0.12 s wide.
V1 is broad and biphasic with terminal negative deflection at least 1mm deep and 0.04 seconds wide.
If a QRS complex is longer than 0.12 seconds there is what present and what lead do you have to look at.
a complete bundle branch block
V1
If Q wave is larger than 2mm
pathologic finding of old MI.
If the QRS duration is 0.1 to 0.12 seconds, what is most likely going on?
an incomplete bundle branch block.
In a right bundle branch block, what should you see on an EKG
V1 will be upright
V1-V2 will have “bunny ears” (rSR’)