ELECTROCARDIOGRAM

17/7/2008
Definition:
Fluctuating electrical potential that represent the algebraic sum of the action potentials of
myocardial fibres recorded by electrodes placed on the periphery of the body.

P wave
PR interval
QRS complex
ST segment
T wave
QT interval
RR interval
U wave

Atrial depolarisation
Start of atrial depolarisation to start of ventricular
depolarisation
Ventricular depolarisation
Pause in ventricular activity before repolarisation
Ventricular repolarisation
Time taken for ventricular depolarisation and
repolarisation
Duration of one cardiac cycle
? Interventricular septal repolarisation or slow
ventricular repolarisation

If rhythm is REGULAR:
Heart rate = 300/ number of large squares in between QRS complex
Normal adult value 60 100bpm
Tachycardia >100bpm
Bradycardia <60bpm
Intervals
PR interval
QRS duration
QT interval
ST segment

Normal Duration (sec)

Average
Range
0.18
0.12 0.20
0.08
Up to 0.10
0.4
Up to 0.43
0.32
-

ST elevation