ECG interpretation Flashcards
what should you do before you look at the trace
name and DOB
date and time of recording
check calibration
check clinical indication
what is the normal calibration
25 mm/sec
10mm = 1mV
what should you look for on the P waves
Present?
morphology (peaked or bifid?)
P wave associated with QRS complex?
what is the PR interval
what rates and rhythm should you look for
atrial and ventricular rhythm
ventricular rate
what should you look for on the QRS complex
QRS progression
QRS duration
QRS axis and pathological Q waves
what should you look for in the ST area
T wave morphology
ST elevation or depression
QT interval and QTc interval
how should you finish the interpretation
summarise findings
give a diagnosis or conclusion
how do you determine the ventricular rate
300 / number of big squares per R-R interval, calculate in the standard lead 2
what is normal P wave height
<0.25 mV
what is normal P wave width
<0.11 sec
what could cause absent P waves
AF, atrial flutter, nodal rhythms
how do you find the PR interval
beginning of P to the beginning of Q
normal is 0.12-0.2 secs
what could cause a prolonged PR interval
first, second and third degree heart block
what is a normal QRS complex
less than 0.12 secs
what is a pathological Q wave
greater than 40 msecs and greater than 2 mm depth
