ECG Flashcards
What does the P wave on an ECG represent?
Atrial depolarisation. Duration is less than 0.12s.
What does the QRS complex on an ECG represent?
Ventricular depolarisation. Duration is 0.08-0.1s.
What does the T wave on an ECG represent?
Ventricular repolarisation.
What might an elevated ST segment be associated with?
MI
ECG: where would you place lead 1?
Right arm (-ve) to left arm (+ve).
ECG: where would you place lead 2?
Right arm (-ve) to left leg (+ve).
ECG: where would you place lead 3?
Left arm (-ve) to left leg (+ve).
Eindhovens triangle
An imaginary formation of the 3 limb leads in a triangle shape.
ECG: where would you place lead aVR?
Left arm and left leg (-ve) to right arm (+ve).
ECG: where would you place lead aVF?
Right arm and left arm (-ve) to left leg (+ve).
ECG: where would you place lead aVL?
Right arm and left leg (-ve) to left arm (+ve).
ECG chest leads: In which intercostal space would you place V1 and V2? (Precordial leads)
The 4th intercostal space. V1 is right of the sternum and V2 in left.
ECG chest leads: In which intercostal space would you place V3-V6. (Precordial leads)
The 5th intercostal space. V3 is left of the sternum, V4 is in the mid-clavicular line, V5 is left of V4 and V6 is under the left arm.
What is an ECG?
Representation of electrical events at cardiac cycle
What can an ECG identify?
Arrhythmias
Myocardial ischemia and infarction
Pericarditis
Chamber hypertrophy
Drug toxicity
SA node
Dominant pacemaker with an intrinsic rate of 60-100 bpm
AV node
Back up pacemaker with an intrinsic rate of 40- 60 bpm
Allows for delay
Ventricular cells
Back up pacemaker with an intrinsic rate of 20-45 bpm
If electrical impulse travels towards electrodes what does it produce?
Upright positive deflection
What is the flow of impulse condition?
SA node > AV node > Bundle of His > bundle branches > Purkinje fibres
PR interval
Atrial depolarisation + delay in AV junction
Delay allows time for atria to contract before ventricles
Normal ECG
Look at slide 23 of Normal ECG’s
Horizontally on an ECG what is one small box worth?
0.04s
Horizontally on an ECG what is one large box worth?
0.2s
Vertically on an ECG what is one large box worth?
0.5mV
What does an ECG measure?
Measuring the difference in electrical points between 2 points
What is a bipolar lead?
2 Different points on the body
What are unipolar leads?
One point on the body and a virtual reference point with zero electrical potential, located in the center of heart
How many leads done the standard ECG have?
3 standard limb leads
3 augmented limb leads
6 precordial leads
What are the augmented unipolar limb leads?
AVR, AVL, AVF
Where is V7, V8, V9 placed and why?
On the back inferior to scapula
For left vetricle as LV is mostly posterior
Which leads show the lateral electrical signals of the heart?
I, aVL, V5, V6
Which leads show the electrical signals of the inferior surface of the heart?
II, III, aVF
Which leads show the electrical signals of the anterior surface of the heart?
V3, V4
Which leads show the electrical signals of the septum of the heart?
V1, V2
Features of P wave:
Always positive in lead I and II
Always negative in a lead aVR
< 3 small sqaures in duration
< 2.5 small squares in amplitude
commonly biphasic in lead V1
Best seen in leads II
3 small squares wide and tall
What can you see on the ECG for right atrial enlargement?
Tall (>2.5mm) pointed P waves (P pulmonale)
Left atrial enlargement
M shaped P wave in limb leads
What indicates P Pulmonale?
Peaked P wave taller than 2.5mm in the limb leads indicates P pulmonale
What is the PR interval
Consists of atrial depolarisation and conduction from atria to ventricles
Normally 120-200 ms
Prolonged in disorders of AV node and specialised conducting tissue
Shorter in younger patients or in pre-excitation (Wolf-Parkinson-White)
What is a short PR interval indicative of?
Wolff parkinson white syndrome
Accessory pathway allows early activation of the ventricle
Broad QRS complex typical of WPW - BYPASSES Atrial node
What is a long PR interval indicative of?
First degree heart block
Which leads can non-pathological Q waves be found?
I, III, aVL, V5 and V6
Features of QRS complexes?
R wave in lead V6 smaller than V5
Depth of S wave should not exceed 30mm
Size of complexes related to myocardial mass
Predominantly negative S wave in V1, transitioning to positive R wave by V6
Normal frontal axis -30 to +90 (positive in leads I, II)
What is a pathological Q wave defined by?
2mm deep and 1mm wide
25% amplitude of the subsequent R wave
Indications of left ventricular hypertrophy
S wave in V1 and R in V5 or V6 > 35mm
R wave of 11 to 13 mm or more in lead aVL
Features of ST segment
Flat (isoelectric)
Elevation or depression of ST segment by 1mm or more
Normally isoelectric
Can be elevated in early repolarisation, myocardial infarction, pericarditis/myocarditis,
What is the “J” junction?
Point between QRS and ST segment
T wave features?
Asymmetrical
Must be atleast 1/8 but less than 2/3 of R wave
Amps rarely exceed 10mm
Follows direction of QRS deflection
Height of T wave normally less than QRS
Abnormal T waves look like what?
Symmetrical, tall, peaked, biphasic or inverted
What is QT interval
Total duration of ventricular depolarisation and repolarisation
Decreases when HR increases
HR 70bpm - QT <0.40s
0.35s to 0.40s
QT can be corrected to be shorter or faster