ECG (2) Flashcards
What is the pathway of the conduction system in the heart?
SA node goes to the AV node
AV node goes to the bundle of his
Bundle of his goes to left and right bundle branch
Left and right bundle branch goes to purkinje fibers
What is the P-wave?
Depolarization of the atrium (atrium contraction)
What is the QRS complex?
Ventricular depolarization (ventricular contraction)
What is the T-wave?
Ventricular repolarization
What is the summary of what is happening during an ECG reading?
Understanding ECG part 1 slide 7
How much blood does atrial contraction at the p-wave pump into the ventricles?
15-20% of stroke volume
What does a 12 lead ECG help you read?
Past and present problems (not future)
What are the steps to reading an ECG?
Look at P wave (rounded and upright)
Look at PR interval (no more than 5 small boxes)
Look at QRS complex (no more than 2 1/2 small boxes)
Look at R to R interval (equal distance between)
Look at rate (60-100 bpm)
What is the difference between sinus bradycardia and regular bradycardia?
Sinus bradycardia has a p-wave present whereas regular bradycardia does not (under 60 bpm)
What is treatment for a sinus pause?
Back up pacemaker
How do you determine rate on an ECG?
Count number of big boxes between R to R and divide by 300
Count R’s between marks and multiply by 10
What are the sinus rhythms that you can see on an ECG?
Normal sinus rhythm (NSR)
Sinus bradycardia
Sinus tachycardia
Sinus arrhythmia
Sinus pause
Are premature atrial contractions dangerous?
No they are normal and benign
What is a premature atrial contraction (PAC)?
Has a p wave and normal QRS (just comes early then returns back to normal)
What is a premature nodal (junctional)?
No p wave, beat comes early, QRS is normal
What is a premature ventricular contraction?
No p wave and QRS is wide and bizarre
What are arrhythmias originating in the atria?
Premature atrial contractions
Atrial fibrillation
Atrial flutter
What does atrial fibrillation look like on an ECG?
No p wave and no rhythm (< 100 bpm is controlled, > 100 bpm is uncontrolled)
What does paroxysmal atrial tachycardia look like on an ECG?
Normal first and then transitions into no p wave with fast R to R
What does atrial flutter look like on an ECG?
Multiple p waves
What are arrhythmias originating in the AV node?
Premature junctional beats
Nodal rhythm
Nodal tachycardia
What is the AV node?
Back up pacemaker for SA node
How many PVCs is too many in one minute?
6 or more
What are signs and symptoms of arrhythmias?
Palpitations
Dizziness
Shortness of breath
Heart racing
