ECG Lecture 4 Flashcards
What are the 4 questions to ask when interpreting an ECG
Speed?
QRS Width?
P Wave?
Regular or Irregular?
How long is a normal ECG strip?
6 seconds
What is atrial kick?
Normal contraction of atria to increase pressure gradient and send blood to ventricals through mitral valve
What does the P wave represent?
Depolarization of atria
What does the PR interval represent?
Duration of time for electricity to go from SA to AV node (Atria to ventricals)
What does the QRS complex represent
R and L ventricular depolarization
What does the T wave represent?
Ventricular repolarization
What does the QT interval represent
Time between ventricular start of depolarization and end of repolarization
If an ECG is reading with an abnormally low voltage, does this mean a problem is likely?
Yes
What is the isoelectric line?
The x=(0) in an ECG
Monitoring a Q wave is important because it can tell you….
If there was a recent MI
The normal rythmicity of the SA node is…
60-100bpm
The normal rythmicity of the AV node, the AV junction, and the Bundle of His is…
40-60bpm
What is the normal rhythmicity of the purkinje networks?
20-40
The rate of an arythmia can tell you what?
Where its coming from based on the autorythmicity of the different heart cells
An inverted T wave could potentially indicate what 2 problems?
Myocardial ischemia or infarction
An ST segment depressed by 2 boxes could mean what
Myocardial ischemia
An ST segment elevated by 2 boxes could mean what
Myocardial infarction
What is the risk associated with an ST segment being too long?
RIsk of serious ventricular arrythmias due to slow repolarization time
How many leads does a typical ECG have?
12
Limb Lead 1 goes from where to where?
From R to L
Limb Lead 2 goes from where to where?
From upper right to lower left
Note: this is why it is the most important in capturing the electrical impulse path inside the heart
Limb Lead 3 goes from where to where?
Upper left to lower left
Lead aVF goes to and from where?
From top to bottom
Lead aVR goes to and from where?
From Middle to left
Lead aVL goes to and from where?
From middle to left
What are the “artificial leads”
These leads are calculated by combining the signals from two limb electrodes and the Wilson’s Central Terminal (an imaginary point formed by averaging the voltage of the three limb electrodes)
How many precordial leads are there?
6
V1 and V2 leads look at what?
The right side of the heart
V3 and V4 leads look at what?
The septum of the heart
V5 and V6 leads look at what?
The left side of the heart
A wide QRS complex indicates that there could be an arrtyhmia coming from ________
The myocardium of the ventricals
If you suspect something is wrong on an ECG what is the first thing you should do?
Check the patient
What heart rate is considered too fast?
Too slow?
above 100 or below 60