ECG Flashcards
What can cause cardiac conduction disorders ?
HTN causing left ventricular hypertrophy
What are some cardiac conduction Disorders ?
What does an ECG show ?
Electrical activity within the heart
In particular, the depolarisation wave ( a wave of positive charge) which is dependent on which lead you’re looking at.
Explain what depolarisation is
Cells are negatively charged in comparison to the outside.
When they depolorise they become positively charged.
What is the right shouler lead called in an ECG ?
Augmented vector right (AVR)
What is the left shoulder lead called in an ECG ?
Augmented vector left (AVL)
What is the left foot lead called in an ECG ?
Augmented vector foot (AVF)
What do the leads detect in an ECG ?
any positive deflection coming towards them
Which leads are inferior leads?
Which coronary arteries supply here?
Leads 2, 3 and AVF
Because they are at the inferior aspect of the heart and receive blood from the right coronary artery?
Which leads are lateral leads?
Where are the supplies from?
Leads 1 and AVL (High lateral) Left circumflex
and , V5, and V6 - LAD, L circumflex or RCA
They are on the lateral side of the wall and receive blood from the left circumflex artery.
Which leads are considered septal leads ?
V1 AND V2
They are near the interventricular septum
Served by the left anterior descending
Which leads are anterior leads ?
V3 AND V4
Nearest the anterior wall of the heart
Served by the left anterior descending
Where are the ECG placements ?
What is the cardiac vector?
Which lead is this shown in ?
Average direction of all the myocardial cells is called the cardiac vector – runs from 11 o’clock to 5 o’clock position
Why do we have a 12 lead view
Lead I - Right arm to left arm - a measure of electrical activity across the chest.
Lead II - Right arm to feet , left leg
Lead III - left arm to left leg
What is the standard calibration for an ECG rhytm strip ?
25mm / second
What is the amplitude of an ECG rhythm strip?
10mm/mv
What is 1 small box equivalent to on an ECG rhythm strip ?
0.04 seconds
What is one large box equivelent to on the ECG rhytm strip ?
0.2 seconds
How many boxes would equate to 1 second on the ECG rhythm strip?
5 large box
During a flat line eg isoelectric phase does it mean there’s no activity?
Typically means no activity however
There can be some electricity in one direction and one in another and they can be cancelling each other out.
Explain the phases of the P QRST complex
Isoelectric phase
P wave:
Atrial depolarisation
Isoelectric phase
QRS:
Ventricular depolarisation
Isoelectric phase
T wave:
Repolarisation of ventricle
Why is the T wave a positive deflection?
Typically you see a positive reflection in depolarisation so do we see it in the depolarisation of the ventricles?
Repolarisation is a negative current wave because that negative current wave is going away from lead II It is a negative of a negative which then becomes a positive.
eg moving up towards the right shoulder
Explain the P wave
Normally:
- Relatively little muscle mass:
Duration < 2 small squares (<0.08 sec)
Height = <2.5 small squares (0.25mV)
- Upright in lead II
- Precedes the QRS complex
- Single hump (both atria depolarising together)
What is a bifid/biphasic p wave
when the atria aren’t contracting together
Why is there a deflection at the Q wave in lead II?
During ventricular activation, impulses are first conducted down the left and right bundle branches on either side the septum. This causes the septum to depolarize from left-to-right as depicted by vector 1 (Fig.1). This vector is heading slightly away from the positive electrode (to the right of a line perpendicular to the lead axis) and therefore will record a small negative deflection (Q wave of the QRS).
Explain the PR interval
Measured from start of P wave to start of QRS complex:
-Time taken for conduction to get through:
Atria
AVN and the bundle of His
- Normally 3-5 little squares (0.12 – 0.20 sec)
- Important area to check when considering “heart block” – i.e. atria & ventricles not synchronised
Explain ST segment
ST - ischemia - depression
ST - infarction - elevation
Measured from end of S and beginning of T waves
Phase when ventricular depolarisation is petering out
Important area to check as marker for myocardial ischaemia (depressed) or infarction (elevated)
Compared to TP segment which is the true baseline
What is this ?
ST depression - Ischaemia
What is this ?
ST elevation - Infarction
Explain the QT interval
QT interval:
Normal length 350- 450 ms
Total ventricular depolarisation & re-polarisation time
Equivalent to ventricular action potential duration
Duration dependent on HR
Prolongation puts the patient at risk for arrhythmias (Torsades de pointes)
What is a dangerous from of prolonged QT interval ?
Torsades de pointes (TdP)is a specific form of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia occurring in the context of QT prolongation; it has a characteristic morphology in which the QRS complexes “twist” around the isoelectric line.
Explain the U wave
U wave:
Last part of ventricular repolarisation (? Purkinje fibers)
? 10% incidence
Should be same as T wave polarity but <1/3 size
Can be seen in electrolyte disorder (particularly elevated K+)
What is the list of questions you should be asking when viewing a ECG ?
How is the patient?
Is there a cardiac arrest rhythm?
What is the rate?
What is the rhythm?
Are there any P waves?
Are there any odd P waves?
Is there heart block?
Are there any odd QRS complexes?
Is the T wave abnormal?
Is the QT the correct duration?
What would the rhythm be if the patient has no pulse but you see this?
Pulseless electrical activity
What are the cardiac arrest rhythm
Astole
VF
PEA
Pusle ventricular tachycardia
What is this ?
Asystole
What is this ?
Ventricular Fibrillation
How do you calculate the Heart rate on an ECG ?
HR = 300/ RR interval
(count the big squares)
What is Bradycardia ?
HR < 60 bpm
What is Tachycadria ?
HR > 100 bpm
What is the heart rate for this rhythm?
What rhythm is it ?
Sinus Bradycardia