Key Points Definition: Chronic pressure/volume overload → thickened RV (pulm HTN, congenital lesions, pulmonary disease). ECG signature: Rightward axis, dominant R in V1, deep S in V5–V6, with possible right-sided…
Key Points Definition and Measurement: A Q wave is the first negative deflection of the QRS. Measure width in ms from the onset below baseline to its return to baseline;…
Key Points Definition and measurement: The QRS complex is ventricular depolarization, measured from the earliest ventricular deflection (Q or R) to the latest S return to baseline in any lead….
Key Points Definition: QT = onset of QRS → end of T; reflects total ventricular depolarization + repolarization. Rate correction (QTc): Use corrected QT interval, because QT shortens with faster…
Key Points Definition: The R wave is the first positive deflection of the QRS complex, reflecting early ventricular depolarization, predominantly of the left ventricle. Normal progression: Precordial R amplitude increases…
Key Points Terminology: WPW pattern = ECG evidence of pre-excitation without symptoms. WPW syndrome = pattern plus symptomatic tachyarrhythmia (e.g., AVRT, pre-excited AF). Mechanism: An atrioventricular accessory pathway (e.g., Kent;…
Key Points ECGs display voltage changes across the cardiac cycle, captured as waveforms, segments, and intervals. Waveforms represent depolarization or repolarization events. Segments are baseline connections between waveforms, usually representing…
Key Points Definition: The TP segment is the isoelectric interval from the end of the T wave to the start of the P wave. It reflects electrical diastole when the…
Key Points Definition and origin: The U wave is a small deflection following the T wave, best seen in V2–V3. It likely reflects late ventricular repolarization or Purkinje repolarization. Normal…
Key Points Definition: The T wave reflects ventricular repolarization. Measure amplitude from baseline to peak and identify the end of T to help define the QT interval. Normal appearance: Upright…
Key Points Definition and measurement: The S wave is the first negative deflection after the R wave within the QRS. Measure depth in mm from baseline to nadir; width contributes…
Key Points Definition and measurement: The P wave is atrial depolarization. Measure duration from initial deflection to return to baseline and amplitude from baseline to peak. Normal values: Duration <120…
Key Points The reference for ST-segment shift is the J point relative to an isoelectric baseline. The two candidates for that baseline are the TP segment and the PR segment….
Key Points A QRS duration greater than 120 ms indicates abnormal ventricular depolarization. A wide QRS can signal conditions that range from benign to immediately life-threatening. Developing a focused differential…
Key Points Artifacts = non-cardiac signals that distort or obscure true ECG. They come from the patient, leads/equipment, or the environment. Clues to artifact: lacks a physiologic pattern, varies beat-to-beat…
Key Points: The ECG is the fastest bedside tool for detecting acute coronary occlusion and dynamic ischemia, often before troponin changes and sometimes before classic symptoms. Acute coronary syndromes are…
Key Points Definition: A regularly irregular rhythm occurs when the distance between R-R intervals or P-P intervals varies in a consistent, repeating pattern throughout the ECG tracing. Significance: Determining the…
Key Points Rhythm Regularity: Regular rhythm is characterized by equal distances between consecutive P waves (P-P intervals) and QRS complexes (R-R intervals). Verify rhythms with calipers—don’t trust the machine interpretation…
Key Points Don’t trust the ECG machines automated interpretation. Confirm the rhythm yourself. Start with the ventricles (R–R pattern), then the atria (P waves), then the AV relationship (PR behavior/P:QRS)….
Key Points Never accept the machine’s rate blindly. Confirm it yourself as ECG computer interpretations are frequently inaccurate. Verify paper speed and gain first (default 25 mm/s, 10 mm/mV). Name…