Lesson II - A "Method of ECG Interpretation

QT interval (from beginning of QRS to end of T)

QRS axis in frontal plane (go to: "How To Determine Axis")

Go to: ECG Measurement Abnormalities (Lesson IV)for description of normal and abnormal
measurements

2. Rhythm Analysis

State basic rhythm (e.g., "normal sinus rhythm", "atrial fibrillation", etc.)

Identify additional rhythm events if present (e.g., "PVC's", "PAC's", etc)

Consider all rhythm events from atria, AV junction, and ventricles

Go to: ECG Rhythm Abnormalities (Lesson V)for description of arrhythmias

3. Conduction Analysis

"Normal"conduction implies normal sino-atrial (SA), atrio-ventricular (AV), and

intraventricular (IV) conduction.

The diagram
illustrates the
normal cardiac
conduction
Click to view
system.

The following conduction abnormalities are to be identified if present:

SA block (lesson VI): 2nd degree (type I vs. type II)

AV block (lesson VI): 1st, 2nd (type I vs. type II), and 3rd degree

IV blocks (lesson VI): bundle branch, fascicular, and nonspecific blocks

Exit blocks: blocks just distal to ectopic pacemaker site

(Go to ECG Conduction Abnormalities (Lesson VI) for a description of

conduction abnormalities)

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