A 68-year-old man is brought to the emergency department by EMS with acute chest discomfort. The following prehospital ECG was obtained and shows concave ST elevation across multiple leads. The…
Key Points: Definition: Critical ECG patterns represent time-sensitive, life-threatening cardiac or systemic conditions that demand immediate recognition to prevent death or irreversible organ injury. These are the “can’t-miss” ECGs. Goal:…
Key Points: Short QT Interval: A QT interval is considered short when the corrected QT (QTc) interval is less than 350 ms. A short QT interval on the ECG can…
Why ECG Interpretation Matters: The ECG is one of the fastest, highest-impact diagnostic tests in acute care. When interpretation is rapid and accurate, patients get timely reperfusion, pacing, defibrillation, antidotes,…
Key Points: Definition: A true LV aneurysm is a chronic, post transmural MI complication from scarred myocardium with akinetic or dyskinetic (paradoxical) wall motion. ECG hallmark: Persistent ST elevation in…
Key Points: Consistency saves lives: Use a repeatable ECG routine to reduce misses in chaotic settings. Many valid methods exist. Pick an order that fits your acute-care workflow and do…
Key Points Reperfusion after fibrinolysis is a bedside diagnosis using a bundle of findings: symptoms, ECG trend, and hemodynamic/electrical stability. Best ECG marker of successful fibrinolysis: at least 50% ST-segment…
Key Points Reperfusion and re-occlusion can occur spontaneously or after therapy. The ECG often reflects these changes earlier than symptoms. Most useful bedside ECG marker of reperfusion is ST-segment resolution…
Key Points: Mechanical artifact caused by an ECG electrode sitting on top of a strong arterial pulse. Seen frequently in dialysis patients with AV fistulas. Can mimic serious pathology including…
Key Points Any wide QRS (>90 ms) in an infant or small child is abnormal and should trigger evaluation for VT, sodium-channel blockade, or conduction disease. QTc >450 ms in…
Key Points ECG rhythms in pediatric arrest differ from adults. Pulseless arrest in children is most often asphyxial, but ECG clues can reveal reversible metabolic, toxicologic, or structural causes. Wide…
Key Points Pediatric ECGs are not scaled-down adult ECGs. Right axis deviation, large R waves in V1, and T wave inversions in V1 to V3 are expected in healthy children….
Key Points Early post-ROSC ECGs often mislead. Within the first 8–10 minutes, transient global ischemia and catecholamines can exaggerate ST changes. Plan a repeat at 10–15 minutes before making cath…
Key Points PJCs are premature impulses from ectopic foci in or near the AV junction. ECG hallmark is a narrow premature beat with an absent or retrograde P wave. Retrograde…
Key Points The J point is the junction where QRS ends and the ST segment begins. It is a location, not a waveform. ST deviation is judged at the J…
Key Points Definitions: The J point is the QRS–ST junction (a location). A J wave is an added deflection at or just after that point (notch or slur). Why it…
Key Points A diagnostic 12‑lead ECG is only as good as your electrode placement. Misplacement can mimic MI, BBB, or poor R‑wave progression and trigger unnecessary workups. A standard 12‑lead…
Key Points Tension pneumothorax is a clinical diagnosis—ECG changes are nonspecific but can provide supportive evidence in the right context. Electrical changes are primarily due to mechanical effects of air…
Key Points Aortic dissection or aneurysm can produce ischemic‑appearing ECGs due to coronary malperfusion, most often right coronary involvement causing inferior changes. Pseudo‑infarction patterns, ST‑deviation, and conduction blocks can occur…
Key Points Definition: Small, low-amplitude positive deflections at the terminal QRS or very early ST segment, caused by delayed right ventricular activation through diseased myocardium. Association: Highly specific for arrhythmogenic…