Is a cardiac rhythmOften refers to a discernible pattern in time or distance between QRS complexes and/or P waves. characterized by rapidly occurring wide QRSThe electrical representation of ventricular depolarization; the atrial repolarization is also a part of the QRS. ECG interpretation relies heavily on the QRS complex. The QRS complex represents the depolarization of the ventricles. The repolarization of the atria is also... complexes with absent or infrequent P wavesA wave generated from the depolarization of the atria; the P wave is upright when originating from the SA node. The P wave represents the depolarization of the right and left atria. The P wave begins with the first deviation... evident; the absence of atrial kickThe contraction of the atria prior to ventricular contraction causes an increased volume and stretch to the ventricles – resulting in increased force of contraction and increased stroke volume (Starling’s Law); this extra stroke volume increases cardiac output by 10-35%...., the lack of filling timeDuring diastole, the blood is drawn into the ventricle. This takes time, referred to as “filling time”. Without an adequate filling time, the ventricle receives less blood. With less blood volume, stroke volume and cardiac output falls. Figure 2.2 Cardiac..., and the tendency for ventricular tachycardiaA cardiac rhythm with a rate above 100/minute; for example, if the impulse originates from the atria with a rate of 160/minute, the rhythm is called an atrial tachycardia. A cardiac rhythm is usually named first by the location of... to change to 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... makes this a serious – and often lethal – dysrhythmiaUsed interchangeably with arrhythmia, refers to any abnormal rhythm – not normal sinus rhythm or sinus tachycardia. 1. Six Second ECG Guidebook (2012), T Barill, p. 196.
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. 103, 114, 208