ECG Flashcards
Name the elements and positions of the conducting system of the heart
• Sinoatrial (SA) node Near Junction of Right atrium and SVC (top right)
• Atrioventricular (AV) node In inter- atrial septum near tricuspid valve (bottom left of atrium)
• The Bundle of His:
crosses fibrous ring of heart, from atria to ventricles
• Right bundle branches
Lies under endocardium on right side of IVS
• Left bundle branches
Lies under endocardium on right side of IVS
• Purkinje Fibres - fine branches of the bundles of His extensive throughout ventricular myocardium
In which direction does depolaristion spread and why?
Depolarisation spreads downwards and to the left
slows down at AV node so atria contract before ventricles
bundle of his is continuous with av node
What is the purpose of the fibrous rings of the heart?
Anchors myocardium and valves
Dense CT forming 4 fibrous rings
In plane between atria and ventricles
They are not made from myocardial cells - electrical insulator so cannnot conduct
Allows atria to contract separately from the ventricles
Describe the speed o conduction in the heart
Sinoatrial (SA) node
• fastest rate (60 -100)
• sets rhythm – sinus rhythm
Atrioventricular (AV) node is continuous with
The Bundle of His: only conducting path from atria to ventricles
Right and left bundle branches
Purkinje Fibres
Rapid (4 metres/sec) spread of depolarisation throughout ventricular myocardium - fast so all parts of ventricle contract almost simultaneously
What is the order of depolarisation in the heart?
SA node depolarised
Impulse spreads through atria
Held up at AV node
Spreads to ventricle via Bundle of His
Spreads rapidly down right and left bundles and purkinje system
Myocytes of IV septum are depolarised first
Apex and then left first then right ventricle walls
Base of the ventricles last
Repolarisation happens in reverse order i.e bae first, then walls then apex
Where does ECG record electrical changes
EXTRACELLULAR SURFACE of cardiac myocytes
Describe them yoy team in its resting state
Outside of the cell is +ve charged - flatline since no current flow
Describe depolarisation on an ECG trace
- Depolarization (blue shaded area); the outside of the depolarized region becomes negatively charged relative to the inside - Na+ ions flow in
- Because the current of depolarization is directed toward the (+) electrode of the voltmeter an upward deflection is recorded.
- When the whole cell is depolarized; no current flow, so flat line.
Describe repolarisation on an ECG trace
- the outside of the repolarized region becomes positively charged relative to the inside.
- Because the current of repolarization is directed AWAY from the (+) electrode of the voltmeter
- a downward deflection is recorded.
- When the whole cell is repolarized, no current flows, and a flat line recorded.
Describe repolarisation of the ventricles
Repolarisation of the ventricles happens in the reverse order i.e. Last part of ventricle to depolarise is first to repolarise
• Repolarization proceeds in the direction opposite to that of depolarization in the intact heart
• Therefore, the deflections of depolarization (QRS complex) and repolarization (T wave) of the normal heart are oriented in the same direction.
• Note that the wave of repolarization is more prolonged and of lower amplitude than that of depolarization.
Describe the wave which results from depolarisation from negative to positive
Positive complex, upright deflection
Describe the wave which results from depolarisation from positive to negative
Negative complex, downward deflection
Describe the wave which results from repolarisation from negative to positive
Negative complex, downward deflection
Describe the wave which results from repolarisation from positive to negative
Positive complex, upright deflection
How does the magnitude of deflection differ at different angles?
The magnitude of the deflection reflects how parallel the electrical force is to the axis of the lead being considered
- Depolarisation Wave coming directly towards (+) electrode Tall upright QRS complex
- Wave Obliquely towards electrode smaller upright QRS complex
- Wave At 900 to electrode Biphasic or No complex
- Depolarisation wave going directly away from electrode Deep -ve complex
Describe SA node depolarisation
- SA node top right hand corner of Right atrium (RA)
- Near junction of SVC and RA
- First electrical event of cardiac cycle
- Insufficient signal to register on surface ECG
Describe atrial depolarisation
• Spreads along atrial muscles fibres & internodal
pathways
• Throughout both right and left atria
• Direction: Downwards & to the left (Towards AV node)
• will produce a small upward deflection the p wave
• Upward because towards recording (+ve) electrode
• Lasts 80 – 100 ms