EKG and ECG Terminology

Flashcards covering EKG leads, terminology, interference types, and calculation methods from lecture notes.

Electrode Gel

Conductive gel improving signal transmission.

Precordial Leads

Chest leads V1-V6 used in a 12-lead EKG.

Augmented Leads

aVR, aVL, and aVF limb leads.

Limb Leads

Leads attached to arms and legs.

Ground Electrode

Electrode reducing electrical interference.

Calibration

Standardization of EKG recording measurements.

Gain Control

Adjusts the height of EKG waveforms.

Einthoven's Triangle

Imaginary triangle formed by limb leads.

Lead I

Measures electrical activity between right and left arms.

Lead III

Measures electrical activity between left arm and left leg.

Augmented Lead aVR

Lead viewing the heart from the right arm.

Augmented Lead aVL

Lead viewing the heart from the left arm.

Augmented Lead aVF

Lead viewing the heart from the feet.

V1 Lead

Chest lead placed at the 4th right intercostal space.

V2 Lead

Chest lead placed at the 4th left intercostal space.

V3 Lead

Positioned between V2 and V4.

V4 Lead

Located at the 5th intercostal space midclavicular line.

V5 Lead

Located at anterior axillary line level with V4.

V6 Lead

Located at midaxillary line level with V4.

Lateral Leads

Leads viewing the left side of the heart (I, aVL, V5, V6).

Inferior Leads

Leads viewing the bottom of the heart (II, III, aVF).

Anterior Leads

Leads viewing the front of the heart (V3, V4).

Septal Leads

Leads viewing the septum of the heart (V1, V2).

Precordial Leads Placement

Specific chest positions for V1-V6 electrodes.

Bipolar Leads

Leads measuring voltage between two electrodes.

Unipolar Leads

Leads measuring voltage from one positive electrode.

Ground Lead Placement

Placement of grounding electrode to reduce interference.

AC Interference

Electrical noise from nearby devices creating artifact.

Wandering Baseline

Up-and-down movement of EKG baseline due to motion.

Somatic Tremor

Muscle movement artifact on EKG tracing.

Interrupted Baseline

Breaks in tracing caused by loose electrodes or wires.

Lead Reversal

Incorrect placement of EKG leads.

Paper Speed

Speed EKG paper moves, usually $25\,mm/sec$.

Amplitude

Height of EKG waves measured vertically.

One Small Box

Represents $0.04\,seconds$ horizontally on EKG paper.

One Large Box

Represents $0.20\,seconds$ horizontally.

Six-Second Method

Heart rate calculation by counting beats in $6\,seconds \times 10$.

Sequence Method

Heart rate calculation using large box sequence.

1500 Method

Heart rate calculation using small boxes between R waves.

R-R Interval

Distance between two R waves representing one heartbeat.

Normal PR Interval

$0.12-0.20\,seconds$.

Normal QRS Duration

Less than $0.12\,seconds$.

Normal QT Interval

Usually less than half the R-R interval.

P-R Segment

Flat line between P wave and QRS complex.