Mediastinum

The region of the thorax behind the sternum and in front of the spine – includes the heart, esophagus, trachea and the major vessels attached to the heart.

The heart is a wondrous organ about the size of your fist, weighing in at less than a pound (about 400 grams). Each day, the adult heart beats over 100,000 times, delivering 7500 litres of blood to the tissues of the body. The heart is dynamic, ever sensitive and responsive to mechanical, chemical and electrical stimuli. It continuously fluctuates in rate and force in response to our physiologic and environmental needs.

Situated in the mediastinum directly behind the sternum, approximately 2/3 of the heart is left of the sternal border, resting on the diaphragm. The heart’s apex is at the bottom of the heart pointing left near the 5th intercostal space (ICS). The base of the heart is located near the 2nd intercostal space to the right of the sternum.

The heart is not positioned straight up. Rather, it sits on its right border (the base of the septum is pulled to the left) with the right chamber rotated anteriorly. Visualize the patient’s right lateral border of the heart being pulled forward. In turn, this would bring the left border of the heart more posterior. Nevertheless, the larger left ventricle occupies the majority of the anterior, lateral and inferior surfaces of the heart.

1. Six Second ECG Guidebook (2012), T Barill, p. 8, 199

Our new 12 Lead ECG SIM Deck is active!

We're planning a scheduled maintenance period.

Our website will be unavailable on Wed, Oct 16, 2024 starting at 8:00pm (PDT). We anticipate this will take about 1 hour.
Thank you for your understanding.

The SkillStat Team

×
  Six Second ECG Intensive Six Second ECG Mastery 12 Lead ECG & ACS 12 Lead Advanced
Prerequisite

None

None

Any Six Second ECG Course

12 Lead ECG & ACS

Time Frame

8 hours (1-day Course or 2 evenings)

20 hours 3-day Course

8 hours 1-day Course

8 hours 1-day Course

Tuition

$275

$675

$275

$275

Completion Card
Exam and Certification
SkillStat 2U-able
Reference materials included
Dynamic ECG rhythm interpretation
Static ECG rhythm interpretation
Clinical Impact Mapping
Acute Coronary Syndromes Overview
Acute Coronary Syndromes In-Depth
ST Segment & T Wave Differential
Identify Bundle Branch Blocks
15 | 18 Lead View Mapping
Electrical Axis
R Wave Progression
Left Bundle Branch Blocks with ACS
Atypical Findings
Acute Non-Ischemic Disease Conditions
Special Cases

•-included;     ○-reviewed
×