Basic Electrocardiogram (ECG) Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts, measurements, rhythm classifications, conduction blocks, pacemaker functions, and lead correlations from the Basic Electrocardiogram lecture.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

The process of recording the electrical activity of the heart over a period of time using electrodes placed on the skin.

Willem Einthoven

A Dutch doctor and physiologist who invented the first practical electrocardiogram in 1903 and received the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1924.

Waveform

A movement away from the baseline on an ECG tracing.

Segment

A line between waveforms on an ECG tracing.

Interval

A combination of a waveform and a segment on an ECG tracing.

Complex

A structure consisting of several waveforms on an ECG tracing.

P Wave

An ECG waveform representing atrial depolarization, normally having a height of $< 0.2\text{ mV}$ ($2\text{ mm}$) and a duration of $< 0.12\text{ sec}$.

PR Interval

The measure representing the time from atrial depolarization to ventricular depolarization, with a normal duration of $0.12 - 0.20\text{ sec}$ ($3 - 5\text{ small squares}$).

QRS Complex

The ECG waveform representing ventricular depolarization, with a normal duration of less than $0.12\text{ sec}$ ($3\text{ small squares}$).

Sinus Rhythm

A regular cardiac rhythm originating from the SA node with a rate of $60 - 100\text{ bpm}$, upright and uniform P waves preceding each QRS, a constant PRI of $0.12 - 0.20\text{ sec}$, and a narrow QRS complex.

Sinus Bradycardia

A regular cardiac rhythm with a rate of $< 60\text{ bpm}$, upright and uniform P waves before each QRS, a constant PRI of $0.12 - 0.20\text{ sec}$, and narrow QRS complexes.

Sinus Tachycardia

A regular cardiac rhythm with a rate greater than $100\text{ bpm}$ ($< 160\text{ bpm}$), upright and uniform P waves before each QRS, a constant PRI of $0.12 - 0.20\text{ sec}$, and narrow QRS complexes.

Atrial Flutter

An atrial arrhythmia where impulses travel in a circular course in the atria, producing a characteristic sawtooth pattern that is usually regular.

Atrial Fibrillation

An atrial arrhythmia where impulses follow chaotic, random pathways in the atria, creating fibrillatory waves and an irregularly irregular baseline and ventricular response.

Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)

An always regular rhythm originating above the ventricles with a rate $> 100\text{ bpm}$, non-visible P waves, undefined P-R intervals, and narrow QRS complexes.

Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia

A ventricular tachycardia lasting more than $30\text{ sec}$ that requires termination.

Non-sustained Ventricular Tachycardia

A ventricular tachycardia lasting less than $30\text{ sec}$ that does not require termination.

Torsades de Pointes

A form of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia characterized by a 'twisting of points' pattern.

Coarse Ventricular Fibrillation

A rapid, unorganized rhythm with disorganized electrical impulses measuring $> 3\text{ mm}$ that cause the ventricles to quiver instead of pump blood.

Fine Ventricular Fibrillation

A rapid, unorganized pulseless rhythm with low-amplitude disorganized electrical impulses measuring $< 3\text{ mm}$.

Ectopic Beats

Extra heartbeats that occur just before a regular beat, including Premature Atrial Contractions (PACs) and Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs).

Bigeminy

A pattern of ectopic beats where every other beat is a Premature Ventricular Contraction (PVC).

Trigeminy

A pattern of ectopic beats where every third beat is a Premature Ventricular Contraction (PVC).

Quadrigeminy

A pattern of ectopic beats where every fourth beat is a Premature Ventricular Contraction (PVC).

Couplets

Two consecutive Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs).

First Degree AV Block

A conduction abnormality defined by a fixed, prolonged PR interval greater than $0.20\text{ sec}$ ($> 5\text{ boxes}$).

Second Degree AV Block Type 1

A conduction abnormality characterized by a progressively prolonging PR interval until a QRS complex is dropped.

Second Degree AV Block Type 2

A conduction abnormality characterized by a constant PR interval followed by intermittent dropped QRS complexes.

Third Degree AV Block

A complete AV dissociation where P waves and QRS complexes operate independently without a predictable pattern.

Junctional Rhythms

Abnormal heart rhythms resulting from impulses originating in the area of the AV node (the junction between atria and ventricles), characterized by inverted, absent, or retrogradely placed P waves.

Junctional Escape Rhythm

A junctional rhythm with a heart rate of $40 - 60\text{ bpm}$.

Accelerated Junctional Rhythm

A junctional rhythm with a heart rate of $60 - 100\text{ bpm}$.

Junctional Tachycardia

A junctional rhythm with a heart rate above $100\text{ bpm}$.

Significant ST Deviation

An ST segment elevation or depression of at least $1\text{ mm}$ above or below the baseline in 2 or more correlating leads.

Failure to Pace

A pacemaker malfunction where the device does not generate an electrical impulse, appearing on an ECG as missing pacemaker spikes.

Failure to Capture

A pacemaker malfunction where the ventricles fail to respond to the pacemaker impulse, visible on an ECG as a pacemaker spike not followed by a QRS complex.

Failure to Sense (Undersensing)

A pacemaker malfunction where the device fails to detect inherent cardiac beats, seen on an ECG as a spike occurring too early after a QRS complex.

Oversensing

A pacemaker malfunction where pacing does not occur because the device inappropriately senses electrical activity when intrinsic rhythm is inadequate.

Inferior Wall Leads

Leads II, III, and aVF, which view the inferior region of the heart supplied primarily by the Right Coronary Artery (RCA).

Septal Wall Leads

Leads V1 and V2, which view the septal region of the heart supplied by the Left Anterior Descending (LAD) artery.

Anterior Wall Leads

Leads V3 and V4, which view the anterior region of the heart supplied by the Left Anterior Descending (LAD) artery.

Lateral Wall Leads

Leads I, aVL, V5, and V6, which view the lateral and high lateral regions of the heart.