Week 7 Flashcards
Which direction is Q wave deflection?
downwards
What does the Q wave represent?
septal depolarisation (left to right)
Which leads are septal Q waves seen in?
Leads looking at the left side of the heart (I, II, aVL, V5 and V6)
What are the 3 characteristics of pathological Q waves
More than 2mV amplitude or 0.04 seconds long
What should you consider if you see pathological Q waves?
(1) myocardial infarction, (2) LV hypertrophy, (3) bundle branch block (4) pulmonary embolism (if Q wave in lead III).
In many cases do pathological Q waves become permanent following MI?
90%
Can myocardial infarctions be asymptomatic?
yes - 20% are silent
What are the symptoms of a MI?
chest pain, pain in left arm and jaw, sweating, nausea
Is ST segment elevation an ECG characteristic of MI?
Yes
Explain how MI leads to pathological Q waves
MI causes necrosis of myocardium which can no longer conduct electrical activity. Leads ‘look through’ necrotic tissue and since electrical activity moves from the inside to the outside of the heart, a negative deflection is detected.
A MI that produces a pathological Q wave is what type of MI?
Transmural
Is a subendocardial or transmural MI more serious?
Transmural - damage to all layers of the heart
What 4 questions should you ask about QRS complex?
- are R/S wave too tall? 2. are QRS complex too small? 3. are QRS complex too wide? 4. are QRS abnormal shape?
The deepest R and S wave should exceed how many mm?
25mm (2.5 large squares)
The R wave increases in height between V1 and V6?
True
Is the R wave smaller than the S wave in V1 and V2
True
Is the R wave smaller than the S wave in V5 and V6?
False
What waves are high/deep in LVH?
Leads that look at the heart from the left (I, II, aVL, V5 and V6) have high R waves and the reciprocal (leads that look at the heart from the right) V1 and V2 have deep S waves
What criteria must be met for LVH?
V5/6 R wave > 25mm, V1/2 S wave > 25mm or V5/6 + V1/2 = > 35mm
Can young, thin people exceed LVH ECG criteria? Does it mean they have LVH?
Yes - doesn’t diagnose LVH - echocardiogram necessary
What might cause pathological LVH?
hypertension
In what ways is LVH detrimental?
Chamber narrows inwards as well as outwards and reduces chamber size - reducing CO
What has to be present for LVH/RVH to be associated with ‘strain’?
ST segment depression and T-wave inversion
What ECG change does RVH cause?
dominant R wave in V1
What is RVH associated with?
(1) right axis deviation, (2) RBBB