Session 6: ECG 1 Flashcards
Briefly explain the conducting system of the heart.
Sinoatrial node going to AV node. Going to bundle of His into right and left bundle branches. They end up in purkinje fibres.
Where is the fibrous ring of the heart and what is its purpose?
It’s in plane between atria and ventricles and consist of a dense connective tissue which forms four fibrous rings. They act as electrical insulators to make the atria contract separately from the ventricles.
If the fibrous ring prevent electrical conductions to reach the ventricles. Then how come the ventricles contract?
Because of the bundle of his. There is a small passageway in the fibrous ring which allows electrical conduction to pass through.
Role of the SA node.
It’s the fastest rate of depolarisation and sets the rhythm (sinus rhythm) of the heart.
Purpose of the AV node.
To slow conduction in order to give time for the atria to contract before the ventricles.
Purpose of the purkinje fibres.
Rapid spread of depolarisation (4 m/s) throughout the ventricular myocardium.
If depolarisation occurs towards an electrode. How will the electrode read it?
As an upwards deflection.
If depolarisation occurs away from an electrode. How will the electrode read it?
As a downwards deflection.
If repolarisation occurs towards an electrode. How will the electrode read it?
As a downwards deflection.
If repolarisation occurs away from an electrode. How will the electrode read it?
As an upwards deflection.
What does the T wave represent?
Upwards deflection because the ventricle repolarises away from the ventricle.
How does SA node depolarisation show up on ECG?
It doesn’t. The signal is not strong enough.
What is the P wave?
Atrial depolarisation.
Explain atrial depolarisation.
Spreads along atrial muscle fibres and internodal pathways.
Explain atrial depolarisation. (Direction as well)
Spreads along atrial muscle fibres and internodal pathways. It does so throughout both right and left atria. Direction is downwards and to the left towards the AV node. It will produce a small p wave.
How long does atrial depolarisation last?
80-100 ms
What does the delay at the AV node look like on ECG?
Like an isoelectric segment (flatline)
What does the conduction via the bundle of His look like?
An isoelectric segment again.
How longs does it take from the start of atrial depolarisation (start of p wave) to the start of ventricular depolarisation?
120-200 ms
What is the first part of the ventricle to depolarise?
The muscle in the interventricular septum.
What does the interventricular septum depolarisation look like on an ECG?
It looks like a small downward deflection. It is termed the q wave. Small case q because it is small.
Why is the q wave a downwards deflection?
Because the depolarisation is moving obliquely away towards the wall of the interventricular septum.
What will depolarise after the muscle of the interventricular septum?
The apex and free ventricular wall.
What does depolarisation of apex and free ventricular wall look like?
A large upwards deflection since it is moving directly towards the electrode. It is large because there is a large muscle mass meaning more electrical activity.
What might an abnormally large R wave indicate?
LV hypertrophy
Why is there a small downwards deflection at the end of the QRS complex (S wave)?
Because the depolarisation will finally spread upwards to the base of the ventricles. It is downward because it is moving away from the electrode. It is small because it is not moving directly away.
How long does the QRS complex last?
Around 80-120 ms.
What happens after the upwards depolarisation?
Repolarisation of the ventricles.
What will repolarisation of the ventricles look like on an ECG?
As an upwards deflection termed the T wave.
Why is repolarisation of the ventricles an upwards deflection?
It begins on the epicardial surface and spreads in the opposite direction to depolarisation. It produces a medium upwards deflection because it is moving away from the electrode.