Heart Rhythm and ECG Identification

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering heart rhythms, anatomical locations, and ECG lead characteristics based on the lecture transcript.

Sinus Rhythm

The normal heart rhythm where the action potential starts at the sinoatrial node and the whole hearts beats in rhythm with the SA node.

Arrhythmias

Abnormal heart rhythms where the action potential starts somewhere else other than the SA node, resulting in abnormal blood circulation.

AV nodal rhythm / junctional rhythm

A rhythm where the action potential starts at the AV node; it is called junctional because the AV node is located between the atria and the ventricles.

Atrial rhythm

A rhythm where the action potential starts somewhere in the atrium, not in the AV node or SA node.

Ventricular Rhythm

A rhythm where the action potential starts somewhere in the ventricles, indicating that there is some sort of arrhythmia.

P waves

Waves that reflect where the action potential started and specifically reflect atrial depolarisation.

SA node (Sinoatrial node)

The origin point of the impulse for normal sinus rhythm, located in the top right atrium.

Normal impulse direction

The impulse spreads from the SA node downwards towards the left.

Lead 2 position

Positioned down to the left.

aVR position

Positioned at the top right.

P wave in Lead 2 (Normal)

Should be upright because the action potential is spreading directly towards lead 2.

P wave in aVR (Normal)

Should be inverted because the action potential is spreading away from aVR.

Rhythm strip characteristic

To be considered sinus rhythm, every P wave must look the same within the same lead.

Not Sinus Rhythm (aVR)

Characterized by P waves that are upright in the aVR lead.

Not Sinus Rhythm (Lead 2)

Characterized by P waves that are inverted in Lead 2.