Graphic recording/display of the biopotentials generated by the myocardium during the cardiac cycle
- Reflects the rhythmic electrical events of depolarization and repolarization wave (action
potential), followed by mechanical events of contraction and relaxation of the atria and
ventricles
- Displays electrical activity of the heart
- Is a vector (physics) both magnitude and direction
Depolarization
- Upward deflection when depolarization wave (+ve charges) moves towards the +ve electrode
Repolarization
- Downward deflection when repolarization wave (-ve charges) moves towards the +ve electrode
Types of Waves
P wave: depolarization of atria
QRS complex: depolarization of ventricles (L and R together)
T wave: repolarization of ventricles
U wave: unknown, possible repolarization of papillary muscles (small)
Standard position (placement) of the ECG recording electrodes:
Normally, ECG contains 6 limb leads (I, II, III, aVR, aVL, and aVF) and 6 chest leads (V1 to V6)
- Lead aVR, aVL, aVF, and V1 to V6 are also referring to as unipolar ECG
- Leads I. II, & III are also know as bipolar limb leads
- Ground electrode (RL) is always connected to the right leg
Bipolar limb leads:
1. Lead I
- -ve lead (RA) at right arm,
- +ve lead (LA) at left arm
2. Lead II
- -ve lead (LA) at left arm
- +ve lead (LL) at left leg
3. Lead 3 III
, - -ve lead (LA) at left arm
- +ve lead (LL) at left leg
These connections are arbitrarily chosen such that the QRS complexes will be upright in all 3 limb leads
in most normal individuals
Unipolar limb leads: (augmented limb leads)
aVR
- Right arm (RA) as +ve, all other leads (LA & LL) serve as –ve electrode
aVL
- Left arm (LA) as +ve, all other leads (RA & LL) serve as –ve electrode
aVF
- Left leg (LL) as +ve, all other leads (RA & LA) serve as –ve electrode
Unipolar chest leads: (precordia leads)
V1
- In the 4th intercostal space (between ribs 4 and 5) just to the right of the sternum
V2
- In the 4th intercostal space (between ribs 4 and 5) just to the left of the sternum
V3
- Between leads V2 and V4
(SLIDE 36)
Normal ECG values:
Paper speed = 25 mm / sec (1mm=0.04 sec)
Amplitude = 1 mm / 0.1 mV
P wave: Height < 2.5 mm in lead II Width < 0.11 sec in lead II
,** PR: interval = Between 0.12 to 0.20 sec
- Short PR interval indicates abnormal impulse conduction from atrium to ventricles without
normal delay (normally by the AV node)
- Long PR interval, consider heart block (disruption of conduction)
QRS complex: = Should be less than 0.12 sec
- Q = down
- R = up
- S = down
- Wide QRS, consider bundle branch block, ventricular rhythm, etc.
- Tall QRS, consider ventricular hypertrophy
QT interval: = Between 0.3 and 0.44 sec
Need to calculate the corrected QT interval (QTc) because it is closely related to HR
- QTc is calculated by dividing the QT interval by the square root of the preceding R-R interval
QTc = QT / √(RR)
Long QTc interval (long QT syndrome) could indicate:
Heritable abnormality in the cardiac ions channels
- One example is the abnormality in the cardiac Na+ channel leads to persistent I(Na) during the
action potential (AP) plateau
- Results in prolongation of the AP duration, reflected as an increased QT-interval on the ECG
Long QT syndrome could be acquired:
- Usually induced by drug therapy such as antiarrhythmic medication
- Other causes include electrolyte disturbances, myocardial ischemia, and use of drugs such as
cocaine
ST segment: SLIDE 43
As the isoelectric line
- Elevation or depression could indicate myocardial ischemia
T wave:
Usually, upright position
- Inverted T wave could indicate myocardial ischemia, intraventricular conduction delay, or
even an anxiety attack
SAMPLE QUESTIONS – 45-47
, Cardiac cycle
Sequence of electrical and mechanical events in one complete heartbeat
SLIDE 49
Cardiac cycle (sequence of electrical vs mechanical )
1. Start of atrial depolarization (P wave)
- Atria are still in full relaxation
2. Atria depolarization complete
- Atrial contraction in progress
3. Start of ventricular depolarization (QRS complex)
- Ventricles are still in full relaxation
4. Ventricular in depolarization complete
- Ventricular contraction is in progress
5. Start of ventricular repolarization (T wave)
- Ventricular contraction is still in progress
6. No electrical or mechanical activity, completion of cardiac cycle
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