Exam 2 Flashcards
Size of a current in an ECG is proportional to?
Mass of tissue (# of cells)
What medium does an ECG use to detect electrical activity?
Extracellular fluid
Which way does the ECG dipole always point?
From center of negative electrical field to center of positive electrical field
What does the P wave signify?
Atrial depolarization
What does the QRS wave signify?
Ventricular depolarization
What does the T wave signify?
Ventricular repolarization
What is the PR interval?
The beginning of the P wave to the beginning of the QRS wave
How long should a PR interval be?
<0.2 sec
What happens if a PR interval is longer than 0.2 sec or shorter than 0.02 sec?
Conduction problems from atria to ventricle
How long should the QRS complex be?
<0.1 sec
What does it mean if the QRS complex is longer than 0.1sec?
-Block in bundle branches
or
-Rhythm originating in ventricular myocytes
What should the ST segment always be?
Isoelectric
What happens if the ST segment is not isoelectric?
Injury currents which lead to ischemia
What does it mean if the T wave is inverted?
Chronic ischemia
Where are the three standard electrode leads?
Left and right arms, and left leg
What do the 3 standard electrode leads make up?
Einthoven’s triangle
What are the normal axis values for a 12 lead ECG?
-30 to 110
What happens with a left axis deviation (<-30)?
- Left ventricular hypertrophy
- Hypertension or cardiomyopathy
What happens with a right axis deviation (>110)?
- Right ventricular hypertrophy
- Pulmonary hypertension disease
What is the sequence of depol in the heart?
1) Left septum
2) Septum and endocardium
3) Epicardium
4) Base of heart (Back of left ventricle)
What is the sequence of repol in the heart?
1) Epicardium and base repol
2) Endocardium and septum
What is bradycardia?
<60 bpm resting heart rate
What is tachycardia?
> 100 bpm resting heart rate
Who usually experiences a sinus arrythmia?
Young adults and children