For those in pulseless ventricular tachycardiaIs a cardiac rhythm characterized by rapidly occurring wide QRS complexes with absent or infrequent P waves evident; the absence of atrial kick, the lack of filling time, and the tendency for ventricular tachycardia to change to ventricular fibrillation makes... (VT), ventricular fibrillationA chaotic unorganized cardiac rhythm with several firing regions within the ventricles; the result is uncoordinated ventricular activity and NO cardiac output – a lethal dysrhythmia; fine ventricular fibrillation defines an amplitude less than 3 mm; coarse ventricular fibrillation has... or polymorphicRefers to waves that change in shape – usually refers to QRS complexes that have more than one impulse site. 1. Six Second ECG Guidebook (2012), T Barill, p. 202 VT; an asynchronous application of an electrical current to the heart to depolarize all cells not in absolute refractory periodPeriod when the cardiac cells cannot depolarize irrespective of the strength of the electrical impulse. 1. Six Second ECG Guidebook (2012), T Barill, p. 189 – effectively producing a short period of asystoleAbsence of electrical activity demonstrated by a straight ECG line. Most students of dysrhythmia courses arrive with the claim that they are at least skilled in recognizing asystole. In fact, most of us have seen the proverbial straight line on..., hopefully followed by a sinus rhythmAlso known as regular sinus rhythm or sinus rhythm, this cardiac rhythm is not a dysrhythmia; sinus rhythm originates in the sinoatrial (SA) node with a rate of 60-100/minute; P waves are upright in most leads and the QRS is....
1. Six Second ECG GuidebookA Practice Guide to Basic and 12 Lead ECG Interpretation, written by Tracy Barill, 2012 Introduction The ability to correctly interpret an electrocardiogram (ECG), be it a simple six second strip or a 12 lead ECG, is a vital skill... (2012), T Barill, p. 195