EGMs And Field Experience Flashcards
Electrocardiogram
A graphic record of the heart’s electrical activity from surface electrodes (skin sensors).
Electrode
A sensor (either external to the body or intracardiac) that detects electrical activity
Lead
An angle from which the heart’s electrical activity is measured in an ECG
Bipolar
A type of lead used in surface ECGs that has both a negative and a positive pole (hence bi-polar)
Unipolar
A type of lead used in surface ECGs that has only a positive pole (plus a negative frame of reference in the area of the heart)
P wave
A positive (upward) wave that appears on an ECG when the SA node initiates a wave of depolarization that spreads rapidly through both atria. P wave = atrial depolarization and = atrial contraction
QRS complex
Ventricular depolariation on the ECG
T wave
Ventricular repolarization on the ECG
Myocyte
Or cardiac myocyte: A heart muscle cell
Refractory
Refers to a time when the tissue is unresponsive to electrical stimuli
Tachycardia
Rapid heart rate, usually more than 100 beats per minute
Bradycardia
Slow heart rate, usually lower than 60 beats per minute
12 Lead ECG
A non-invasive test where electrodes are placed on the chest and limbs to record the gross electrical activity of the heart from different angles.
Cycle length
The length of time between each heart beat measured in milliseconds. The faster the hearts rate the shorter the cycle length
Electrophysiology (EP) lab
An examination/treatment room in a hospital with diagnostic imaging equipment where patients can have their arrhythmia tested, diagnosed, and treated
Electrophysiology (EP) study
An examination/treatment in which a patient’s arrythmia is tested, diagnosed, and/or treated
Electrophysiologist
The person in an EP lab responsible for both diagnosing and correcting a patient’s arrhythmia
Circulating RN
The person who verifies, for every EP procedure, “right equipment, right patient, and right procedure”
Scrub nurse/CV tech
The person in an EP study who preps the patient for the procedure, scrubs and assists the EP with catheter insertion.
Monitor tech
The person in an EP study who sits at the EP recording system, observes intracardiac electrograms, and delivers energy to the catheters at specific rates and sequences
Anesthesiologist
The person in an EP study who administers anesthesia and monitors the patient’s vitals