EKG reading the basics Flashcards
how does a beat happen
-cardiac cells inside are neg charged at rest
-K, Na, Cl, Ca keep them at electronegative resting state -> ion channels make this possible
-depolarization! -> wave we see on EKG
-repolarization- return to neg state
pacemaker cells
-sinus node and AV node
-power source
-less negative resting potential
-not seen on EKG
-neurohormonal input:
-sympathetic accelerates / adrenalin
-parasympathetic decelerates / vagal stimulation
conducting cells
-bachman’s bundle - interatrial conduction
-purkinje system
-hard wiring -> PNS only affects SA and AV node -> this influences PR interval (not QRS)*
-rapid conduction
myocardial cells
-contractile machinery
-actin and myosin
-slower conduction, wave like across myocardium
-most of electrical activity thats seen on EKG
-contraction happens after electrical signal
different waves
-myocardial depolarization and repolarization
-P wave is atrial depolarization
-QRS depolarization of ventricle
-T wave is repolarization of ventricle
p wave
-right atrium then the left atrium
-pause after wave is slow at the AV node (fraction of second)
QRS
-bundle of his -> all or nothing (no PNS influence here and on)
-bundle branches- right and left
-left bundle branches -> septal, anterior, posterior fascicles
-you can have bundle branch blocks
-purkinje fibers
-Q WAVE- 1st downward deflection- septal contraction
-R WAVE- 2st upward deflection
-R’ (R prime) - 2nd upward deflection (if there is one) -> right bundle branch block
-S WAVE- 1st downward deflection after upward tick
left bundle branches
-septal fascicle- interventricular septum -> first part to depolarize
-anterior fascicle- anterior wall of left ventricle
-posterior fascicle- posterior wall of left ventricle
-septal fascicle is not seen on EKG - not as relevant
j point
-after QRS when you return back to isoelectric line
T wave
-restoring the electrical negativity
-repolarization
U wave
-wave appearing after T wave, normal or pathological
-usually same axis as the T wave -> if opposite, consider that there are two p waves
-physiologic meaning not understood
segments
-straight line connecting two waves
-ST segment- from end of ventricular depolarization to start of repolarization
-PR segment- pause at the AV node -> end of atrial and start of ventricular depolarization
intervals
-are a wave and the straight line
-PR interval- from start of atrial and start of ventricular depolarization
-QT interval- from start of ventricular depolarization to end of ventricular repolarization
-PR interval
boxes
-1 tiny box = 1mm
time:
-1 tiny box = 0.04s (40ms)
-5 tiny boxes (1 big box) = .2s (200ms)
-5 big boxes = 1s
voltage: vertical axis: amplitude
-1 tiny box = .1mv
-5 tiny boxes = .5mv
heart rate
-sinus rhythm should be 60-100 bpm at rest
-count number of boxes then divide into 300
-if not even large boxes count the small boxes .2
-ex. 4.40 boxes -> 300/4.4 = 68 bpm
how long is the pause (PP)
-3.6s
-2.6s (HR 58)
electrode
-towards (electrode?) is a positive deflection
-away is a negative deflection (down)
-reached it…..cancel each other out!!! -> baseline
-10 stickers and 12 views
6 limb leads
-view heart from frontal plane
-record electrical forces moving up, down, left, right
-leads 1-3 -> bipolar
-augmented leads -> unipolar
-lead 1- neg (RA) to pos (LA)
-lead 2- neg (RA) to pos (LL)
-lead 3- neg (LA) to pos (LL)
-aVR, aVL, aVF
-inferior view- lead 2, 3, aVF
-left lateral view- lead 1 and aVL
-aVR- only right view of heart
pericordial leads
-measures electrical forces moving anterior and posterior
-horizontal plane
V1 is placed in the fourth intercostal space to the right of the sternum.
V2 is placed in the fourth intercostal space to the left of the sternum.
V3 is placed between V2 and V4.
V4 is placed in the fifth intercostal space in the midclavicular line.
V5 is placed between V4 and V6.
V6 is placed in the fifth intercostal space in the midaxillary line.
normal measurements for intervals
-PR - 120-200ms -> .12s-.2s
-QRS - 60-100ms -> > 120 is pathologic
-QT - 40% of the R to R interval (QTc formula):
-faster the HR the shorter the QT interval
-slower HR the long the QT interval
hypertrophy
-increased muscle mass
-caused by increased pressure load
-HTN
-aortic stenosis
-can coexist with enlargement -> ways heart tries to increase CO
-increase muscle thickness -> compromise ability to pump -> demands more blood supply but has reduced density of capillaries -> more susceptible to ischemia
enlargement
-dilatation of a chamber
-caused by volume overload -> valvular disease
-can coexist with hypertrophy -> ways heart tries to increase CO