ECG Flashcards
What in the heart does an ECG look at?
It looks at the electrical activity.
What about the cell are we recording in an ECG?
This is Extracellular recording and so we are measuring changes in membrane potential.
How is conduction spread across the atria?
The SA node in the right atria initiates depolarisation. This spreads through the backmann’s branch to the left atria.
What happens at the AV node?
There is a slight pause in conduction, this because it takes time for the signal to conduct through the node and gives time for the ventricles to fill following atrial systole.
Where does conduction spread after the bundle of his?
It spreads into the left and right bundle branches. It then spreads into the purkinje fibres.
In what direction does repolarisation of the cardiac muscle occur?
From the epicardium surface to the endocardial surface.
In an ECG, what two planes are we looking at the heart from?
Horizontal and coronal.
What two things give a positive deflection from the baseline on an ECG lead?
Depolarisation towards the electrode and repolarisation away from the electrode.
What affects the height of a deflection in an ECG?
This depends on whether the signal is moving directly towards to electrode or is moving past it.
What wave in an ECG shows ventricular repolarisation?
T
What does the R wave in the ECG show?
Ventricular depolarisation
What does the P wave in an ECG show?
Atrial depolarisation
Which wave signifies the end of ventricular depolarisation?
S
What does a Q wave show?
This shows septal depolarisation, spreading to the ventricle.
How do we calculate heart rate from an ECG when the rhythm is regular?
We count the number of squares between the R-R complexes and then divide 300 by this number.
When heart beat is irregular, how can we calculate the heart rate?
Number of beats over 30 squares, multiplied by 10