Lecture 2: Physiological Basis of the ECG Flashcards
How is a electrocardiogram conducted?
9 electrons are placed on the surface of the skin at various locations, obtaining 12 different readings (called leads). Each records the voltage difference between itself and another electrode on the body. If there is a difference–> deflection. If not, no deflection.
What exactly does a ECG measure?
It measures the change in electrical activity of cardiac muscle by measuring the extracellular potential .
What causes a deflection on the ECG?
- When the cardiac tissue has a different membrane potential than the rest of the heart.
- Current flow between regions.
Do the electrodes record voltage differences in either the ventricles or the atria OR between the atria and ventricles?
In EITHER the ventricles or the atria; because there is insulation between the two.
What are the X and Y axis of a ECG?
Y axis–> changes in mV.
X axis–> time
Each electrode of an ECG will look at the _______.
Voltage changes in the heart from different directions.
With an ECG, we measure the intracellular/extracellular potential.
EXTRACELLULAR
What cells are the first to repolarize in cardiac muscle?
The last to depolarize
At rest, the cells are (-) compared to the (+) outside environment.
As cells depolarize, what happens?
The cells become (+) compared to the negative (-) outside environment.
Depolarization is occuring towards the positive electrode, thus, there will be a positive deflection representing depolarization
What does the ECG look like once ALL cells are depolarized?
There is no voltage difference between the two electrodes; thus, we go the isoelectricpoint point.
Image B
What will repolarization look like on the ECG?
Repolarization will reflect an upward reflection (+) the first cells to repolarize are the ones that depolarize last. See before image.
The average current flow occur with ______ towards the base of the heart and with _______ towards the apex.
The average current flow occur with negativity towards the base of the heart and with positivity towards the apex.
Describe and label a normal ECG
- P wave- atrial depolarization
- PR interval-time it takes the SA node to send message to the AV node (normal= .12-.20 seconds)
3. QRS complex- ventricular depolarization from R–>L ventricle; apex–> base; interior to exterior (normal= .05- .1 second)
- ST segment–> phase 2 of AP delays repolarization; still a part of ventricular depolarization. Ventricles are in absolute refractory period because it is ejecting blood.
- T wave- ventricular repolarization from L–> R, base to apex; although still a part of ventrilar depolarization because not all cells have depolarized so they will and continue to eject the remaining blood.
What leads are the P wave upright, inverted and variable?
P waves goes towards a leads, making it ____.
- Upright in: leads 1, 2, V4, V6 and AVF.
- Inverted in: AVR.
- Variable in all other leads.
- P waves go towards a lead, making it positive.
What is a normal PR interval?
.12 –> .20 seconds.
Around 0.16 seconds
What does it mean if our PR interval is more than .2 seconds?
AV block.
Describe the QRS complex
-What is the normal time?
The QRS complex is the period of ventricular depolarization.
Normal time:.05 seconds–> .1 second.
- Blood is currently in the L ventricle. In this stage, isovolumetric ventricle contraction is occuring: no change in volume; thus, all valves are closed. Ventricular muscle is building up pressure to allow ejection through the semilunar valves.
Describe the P wave
P wave- atrial depolarization
-Represents phase 0 of AP in the atria muscle.
At the end of the P wave, all cells are depolarized and we are now at our isoelectric point, but the AP is still occuring because the atria is still contracting.
We do not see repolarization of the atria because it is masked by the atrial T wave.
Describe the QRS complex, ST interval and T wave
What phase of ventricular m. AP does this correspond with?
QRS- ventricular depolarization
- Q (phase 0) of the AP in the ventricular muscle
- At the ST segment, all of the cells are depolarized; thus here is a plateua because mv=0.
- T wave (phase 3) is the repolarization (and some depolarization) of the ventricles. At the end, we are at isoelectric point and everything is back to baseline.
What is a U wave?
U waves are not typically seen. If they are; they follow the T wave.
It can represent many things such as delayed depolarization of the purkinje fibers, prolonged repolarization of mid-myocardial M cells, etc.
At what point are most ventricular myocutes contracting?
At the S-T segment.
When will contraction begin compared to the AP?
Contraction will begin at the begining of the AP, but will not peak until well afterwards.