ECG Review and Analysis Flashcards
Draw cardiac cycle on ECG xx
What is PR interval showing? [1]
QT: interval shows? [1]
What is PR interval showing? [1]
time for SAN–> AVN, mostly represented by physiological delay in AVN
QT: interval shows? [1]
**ventricular depol. & repolarisation
AVN –> Bundle of His –> Bundle branches –**
What is the difference between ST segment and ST interval?
Note that the ‘ST segment’ is from end of S wave to START of T wave.
‘ST interval’ is from end of S wave to END of T wave.
How can you calculate HR? [3]
When can’t you use 300 rule? [1]
1. 300 / big boxes of R-R if have regular rhythm
2. 6 x no. HB if have irregular rhythm.
What is a sinus / non sinus rhythm? [2]
How can you distinguish between the two?
-Sinus rhythm means pacemaker signal originates in sinoatrial node.
sinus:
- If RR interval is constant
- there is normal shaped P wave before every QRS complex
- Heart rate is between 60-100 bpm, then normal sinus rhythm, or NSR, is present.
Not sinus:
- R-R intervals not constant
- *- P wave** not followed by QRS
What is normal PR interval? [1]
What is indicated if PR is prolonged? [1]
What is normal PR interval? [1]
120-200 ms
Indicates problem with conducting system & heart block if prolonged (over 220 ms)
What should QRS interval be? [1]
What does overlong QRS duration indicate? [1]
Under normal circumstances, where are Q waves not seen? [1]
What should QRS interval be? [1]
less that 120
An overlong QRS duration indicates that ventricular depolarization is slow or desynchronised, or that part of ventricular muscle is not contracting normally.
Under normal circumstances, where are Q waves not seen? [1]
V1-V3
What does Q wave represent? [1]
Which leads do you not normally see Q waves? [1]
Depolarisation of interventricular septum
V1-V3
T wave
When might you see larger T waves that expected? [2]
Hyperkalemia
Myocardial infarction within first 30-60 mins
Describe the features of sinus bradycardia
Which populations do you see them in? (If benign / not healthy?)
If HR below 60 bpm
benign in:
- healthy young people
- beta blockers
warning in:
- fibrosis in cardiac conduction system
- MI with SA or AVN
- hypoglycaemia
What is junctional rhythm a result of? [1]
What are the features of junctional rhythm? [3]
In junctional rhythm there is damage: to sinoatrial node or a block in conduction pathway in atria.
When this happens, atrioventricular node takes over as pacemaker.
- bradycardia: 40-60 bpm
- a normal QRS complex
- the P wave will either be absent or inverted in lead II.
What is an ectopic focus?
Ectopic focus. An ectopic focus of conduction in the heart is an area that begins to release electrical stimuli outside the normal conduction pathways. A stimulus released from an ectopic focus can disturb the normal conduction and , in some cases, take over the pacemaker role of the SA node.
Describe the features of atrial fibrillation and why they occur xx
What are R-R intervals like?
- Atrial contraction lost: atria just “quiver”: NO P WAVES – just :wavy baseline (SAN not working)
- ventricles depolarized normally – so normal QRS
IRREGULARLY IRREGULAR R-R intervals
Impulses reach AV node at rapid irregular rate, but not all are conducted
•Afib can be
–SLOW – ventricular response < 60 bpm
–FAST – ventricular response >100
–Normal rate – 60-100 bpm
Why are patients with atrial fibrillation at risk of ischaemic stroke?
Loss of atrial contraction leads to increased blood stasis c/w normally contracting atria, most often in left atrium
Small clots can occur in LA, which goes into cerebral arteries
What are supraventricular tachycardias? [1]
What are the 3 main types of Supraventricular Tachycardias? [3]
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is an abnormally fast heart rate arising from abnormal electrical activity in the atria or atrioventricular node..
- *atrial flutter**
- *AV nodal** reentrant tachycardia
- *Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome**.
Describe the features of atrial flutter
Electrical impulses in atria cause a high frequency bombardment of AV node (~300 bpm) leading to a high but regular heart rhythm. Only one excitatory focus (unlike AF)
P wave replaced with multiple F (fluter waves)
Describe the features of AV nodal reentrant tachycardia
AVNRT occurs when a ‘re-entry’ circuit forms within or just next to the atrioventricular node - atrial impulses instead of dying away after activating the AV node go around ‘in a circle.’
No P waves
140-220 beats
Regular rhythm and QRS
Causes heart palpitations