Guide to Basic Electrocardiography

The purpose of this text is to provide a reference work ticular attention has been paid to the diagnosis of covering basic electrocardiographic (EeG) patterns common rhythm problems. and diagnoses in a succinct and useful format. The The contents are directed at the primary physi- book covers common adult EeG abnormalities and is cian in residency training or in practice, and a reason- organized according to the type of abnormality, able background knowledge of terminology and basic rather than by specific disease or EeG diagnosis. De- pathophysiology is assumed. Thus, certain topics, tailed lists of possible causes for various EeG patterns such as a detailed discussion of electrophysiology, are have been included wherever appropriate, and par- omitted for the sake of brevity. For a discussion of this 5 PREFACE 6 topic, complex or unusual rhythm patterns, and the have generally been selected as common examples of advanced techniques of deciphering unusual rhythms abnormalities, often as they occur in concert with and other uncommon abnormalities, the reader is re- other abnormalities, rather than as pure "classic" ex- ferred to other, more detailed, texts. The techniques of amples of a single abnormality. Therefore, in many performing an ECG are not covered here and the topic instances the examples given include commonly as- of children's ECGs is treated only briefly. A number of sociated abnormalities in addition to the one under more detailed self-study and reference texts are avail- discussion.

Table of Contents:
1. Introduction.- 2. A Way to Visualize the Electrocardiogram in Relation to the Heart.- 3. The Formal Reading of the Electrocardiogram.- The Description of the Electrocardiogram.- The Anatomy of the Normal Tracing.- The Interpretation of the Electrocardiogram.- 4. Indications for Performing an Electrocardiogram.- Screening.- Hypertension.- Coronary Artery Disease, Chest Pain, and Ischemia.- Pericarditis and Myocarditis.- Palpitations, Syncope, and Arrhythmias.- Valvular and Congenital Heart Disease.- 5. Abnormalities of Rhythm.- Supraventricular Arrhythmias.- Regular Supraventricular Rhythms.- Irregular Supraventricular Rhythms.- Regular Ventricular Rhythms.- Irregular Ventricular Rhythms.- Capture as a Cause of Ventricular Irregularity.- Distinguishing Ventricular from Supraventricular Arrhythmias.- Ventricular Rhythms and Atrioventricular Block.- 6. Abnormalities of Conduction (Exclusive of Second-and Third-Degree Atrioventricular Block).- Abnormalities of the P—R Interval.- Abnormalities of the QRS Interval (Including Bundle Branch Blocks).- Abnormalities of the Q—T Interval.- 7. Abnormalities of the Electrical Axis.- Abnormalities of the P-Wave Axis.- Abnormalities of the QRS Axis.- Abnormalities of the T-Wave Axis.- 8. Abnormalities of the P Wave.- The Tall P Wave.- The Wide and/or Notched P Wave.- 9. Abnormalities of the QRS Complex.- Abnormally Low QRS Voltages.- Abnormally High QRS Voltages.- Ventricular Hypertrophy.- Normal and Abnormal Q and R Waves.- 10. Abnormalities of the ST Segment.- Elevated ST Segments.- Depressed ST Segments.- 11. Abnormalities of the T Wave and the U Wave.- The T Wave in Myocardial Infarction.- Tall T Waves.- Diphasic or Inverted T Waves.- Abnormalities of the U Wave.- 12. The Electrocardiogram in Childhood.- QRS Axis.- STSegments.- T Waves.- References.- About the Authors.