EKG (Electrocardiogram) Flashcards
EKG
The graphic representation of depolarization of the heart → It is a recording of the heart’s electrical activity
EKG
Electrical current moving toward the positive electrode causes…
positive deflection
Electrical current moving away from the positive electrode causes…
negative deflection
true or false: EKG measure the function of the heart
FALSE
measure only electrical activity
EKG test looks at…
- Rate
- Rhythm
- Axis
- Hypertrophy
- Infarction (ischemia, injury, and other problems)
Physiologic properties of myocardial cells
- Automaticity
- Rhythmicity
- Conductivity
- Excitability
What is the RESTING/POLARIZED STATE of myocardium:
Negative charge inside of cell membrane (K+)
depolarization of the myocardium occurs as
Myocytes (inside of myocardial cells) become positive and contract → moves as a wave through the myocardium
myocardial REPOLARIZATION (relaxation) occurs as
Myocardial cells return to resting negative charge inside
in a positive deflection, the wave of depolarization moves towards the positive electrode. In an ISOELECTRIC DEFLECTION the wave of depolarization moves…
perpendicular to (+) electrode
mediator of the cardiac sympathetic nervous system
Norepinephrine
mediator of the cardiac parasympathetic nervous system
Acetylcholine
action of sympathetic activity in the heart
- Increase rate of SA node
- Increase rate of AV conduction
- Increase excitability
- Increase force of contraction (inotropic)
Cardiac conduction system is composed of:
- Sino-Atrial node
- Atrioventricular node
- Bundle of His
- Left and Right Bundle Branches
- Purkinje Fibers
what is the sinus rhythm?
any cardiac rhythm where depolarisation of the cardiac muscle begins at the sinus node. It is characterised by the presence of correctly oriented P waves on the electrocardiogram (ECG). Sinus rhythm is necessary, but not sufficient, for normal electrical activity within the heart.
Depolarization wave emitted by SA node spreads throughout both atria ➔ produces
______ on EKG
P wave
the only conduction path between the atria and the ventricles
AV node
what does the PR segment represents in the EKG?
Depolarization slows within the AV node before depolarization is conducted to ventricles → allows blood to finish passing from atria to ventricles
After depolarization slows through the AV node → it conducts RAPIDLY through the…
Bundle of His to the Right and Left Bundle Branches → Purkinje Fibers have “terminal filaments” which carry depolarization to the myocytes
what are the “terminal filaments” in the ventricular conduction system?
carry depolarization of the myocytes of the ventricles causing them to contract ➔ represented by the QRS complex on EKG
Q, R, and S waves:
- Q wave = 1st downward wave of the QRS complex May or may not be present
- R wave = 1st upward wave of the QRS complex
- S wave = ANY downward wave PRECEDED by an upward wave
ST segment represents…
initial phase of ventricular repolarization
Initial plateau after QRS complex
ST segment, initial phase of ventricular repolarization
in the EKG, ventricular systole spans…
depolarization AND repolarization of the ventricles,
– SO it begins with the QRS and continues until the end of the T wave
Review of Cardiac Conduction
SA node → internodal pathways (to left atrium via Bachman’s bundle; to AV node via ant/middle/post internodal pathways) → AV node → Bundle of His → Right and Left bundle branch (RBB is thinner; LBB has three divisions or fascicles – anterior, septal and posterior) → Purkinje fibers (located in the ventricular walls) → myocardial cells
5 colored wires in telemetry or hardwire:
- White clouds over Green grass
- Black smoke over Red fire
- Brown: center of chest (ground)
PR segment:
duration?
- Isoelectric line after P wave
- Also known as atrial kick
- 0.12 – 0.20 seconds (less than 1 large square)
ST interval:
- Full ventricular repolarization
*
QT interval:
- duration of ventricular systole (and repolarization)
- Varies with heart rate because depolarization & repolarization occur faster with faster HR
- So, QT interval measurements are often corrected for rate and are called QTc values
- Normal QT is when it is < ½ RR interval at normal rates (~0.42 sec)
RR interval:
Use to calculate the rate → is it regular?
Starts at end of QRS complex and ends at T wave
ST segment
If SA node is NOT working then another area in the atria should take over with an inherent rate of
60-80 bpm
AV node takes over
Junctional Foci AKA
AV node