C7: ECGs and Arrythmias Flashcards
whats a 12 lead ECG?
a measurement of the electricity produced from the heart that is sensed by 10 different electrodes on the body
what is the function of using leads?
the electricity is organized into leads which can tell the reader what area of the heart the signal is coming from
what are the 2 planes that ECGs use?
frontal: the limb leads and augmented vector leads
horizontal: the V leads (across the chest)
where are leads 1, 2 and 3 represent in the frontal plane?
What is the triangle it creates called?
lead 1: RA - , LA +
lead 2: RA - , LF +
lead 3: LA - , LF +
Einthoven’s triangle
(picture the triangle diagram on page 9 of notes)
describe what the P wave represents and where is electrical stimulation traveling at this time?
how long should it last?
represents atrial depolarization… the SA node passes the signal through the inter-nodal tracts to the LA and RA muscles
should last less then 200ms
whats the PR interval and when does it occur?
occurs from beginning of P wave to end or PR segment or begining of QRS complex.
includes atrial depolarization and contraction
whats the PR segment? What is happening electrically and mechanically at this time?
the contraction of the atria while the signal is sitting at the AV node and bundle of His
when does atrial contraction start?
@ P wave
when does ventricular contraction start?
@ QRS complex
where is electrical stimulation traveling during the QRS complex and what does the QRS complex represent?
represents ventricular depolarization
conduction through the bundle branches purkinjie fibres and ventricle muscle occur here
does each segment of the QRS complex represent a different segment of conduction?
yes
how many fascicles does the LBB and RBB have?
which is + and which is -
LBB: 2 (anterior and posterior)
- (spike will go below baseline)
RBB: 1
+
how long should the QRS complex last?
less than 100ms…. >120ms is abnormal
how does the RBB lead V1 appear?
bunny ears
what influences the hight of the QRS complex?
muscle thickness: more muscle means more QRS complex
body habits: obese- small amplitude
thin- larger amplitude
pericardium: excess pericardial fluid or thickened pericardium may lower the QRS complex
what does the ST segment represent and when does it occur?
represents gap between vetric. depolarization and repol.
the ST segment is isoelectric so should be at the same level as which other segment?
PR… we always compare these segments
what does a depression in the ST segment indicate?
myocardial ischemia
what does an elevation in the ST segment indicate?
MI
when does ventricle contraction occur?
during ST segment and T wave…. but starts in QRS complex
What does the T wave represent electrically?
Elec: ventricular repolarization
May the T wave be merged with the ST segment?
Yes
Can the T wave have + or - polarity?
Yes
What are the possible causes of a negative T wave?
Ischemia, digoxin, electrolyte imbalance
Is it normal to have a + or - T wave?
+
What does normal sinus rhythm mean and what is the NSR rate?
That the impulse travels through the normal conduction pathway of the heart
60-90 bpm
What is considered a borderline HR?
50-60 and 90-100 bpm