ECG/EKG

By: Gunda Gadzika (RN)

 Introduction
• Welcome this afternoons
presentation on ECG/EKG. I hope
we have a wonderful discussion
and your participation in the
discussion of outmost
importance to a productive
presentation.
 GENERAL OBJECTIVE
• By the end of this Discussion, we
as a team must have a basic
understanding of an ECG and its
interpretation.
 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
• Definition of terms
• Review of the A&P of the Conduction system
of the heart and how it relates to ECG.
• Understanding the 3, 5 and 12 lead ECGs.
• Interpretation of an ECG.
• Disorders Related to ECG Abnormalities
(Abnormal ECG). Why ECG?
 DEFINITON OF TERMS
• Electrocardiography: A radiological examination of the heart to
show the electrical activity of the heart. It is simply process of
producing an electrocardiogram.
• Electrograph: A machine used for electrocardiography.
• Electrocardiogram: A record or Display of someone's heartbeat
produced by electrocardiography.
• PQRST: The P Wave: QRS Complex and a T Wave.
• Conduction System of the heart: The normal physiology
process of the impulse movement through the heart.
• SA/AV Nodes: The Sino atrial and the Atrioventricular Nodes,
the nodes responsible for the electrical activities of the heart.
 CONDUCTION SYSTEM OF THE HEART

• The sinoatrial node located on the upper right

side of the right atrium produces primary
impulses at a rate of 60-80 times per minute
in an adult and so it is known as the pace
maker of the heart because the rate at which
the SA node fires impulses correlates with the
heartbeat
• The impulses fired move through the
Buchman's bundle to the left atrium causing
atrial systole.
• Other impulses go through the
atrioventricular node into the bundle of his
and are distributed thought the myocardium
by purkinje fibers branching off the bundle of
his. Thereby causing Ventricular Systole
• The electrocardiography is meant to pick up
this process of the hearts conduction system
and displays it to us in a language that we are
able to understand in from of a pattern on an
electrocardiogram.
 ECG VARIATIONS
• The standard ECG is the 12 lead ECG but there
are other variations such as the 3 and the 5
lead ECG.
 3 LEAD ECG
• A 3 Lead ECG uses 3 electrodes that are
labeled White, Black and Red. The colors are
not standard as there are two coloring
methods for an ECG. These 3 leads monitor
rhythm but does not reveal sufficient
information on ST elevation activity.
 5 Lead ECG
• A 5 lead ECG uses 4 limb leads and 1 chest
lead. It helps improve the ST elevation reading
but its still inferior to the 12 lead ECG.
 12 LEAD ECG
• In a 12 lead ECG there are 12 leads calculated
using 10 electrodes. 4 leads placed to the right
and left of the body appropriately and the 6
placed evenly and as per standard on the
chest. The 12 lead ECG is detailed and gives
complete detailed information of the heart
electrical activity which is off course displayed
to us on a graph.
12 Lead Chest
INTERPRETATION OF AN ECG
• The P wave represents depolarization of the
right and left atria.
• The QRS complex represent the spread of a
stimulus through the ventricles. However not
every ECG reading contains these variables and
so at times it might be a little confusing.
• The initial deflection of the QRS complex is
NEGATIVE (below the baseline) and it is called Q
Wave.
• The first positive deflection in the QRS
complex is an R wave.
• A negative deflection following the R wave is
called an S Wave.
• If the P wave is
 WHY ECG?
• An ECG can help detect the following,
• Arrhythmias: This is where the heart beats irregular, too
fast or too slow.
• Coronary Heart Disease: Where a hearts blood supply is
interrupted.
• Heart Attacks: Sudden Blockage of blood supply to the
heart.
• Cardiomyopathies: Heart walls become too thick or too
thin.
• Electrolyte imbalances