Cardiac Physiology and Electrocardiography

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the cardiac physiology and electrocardiography discussed in the lecture notes.

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)

A recording of electrical impulses of the heart.

Joint commission requirement for EKGs

EKGs must be performed within 10 minutes of arrival.

SA Node

Sinoatrial Node, known as the pacemaker of the heart.

AV Node

Atrioventricular Node, which fires at a rate of 40-60 BPM.

Bundle of His

A pathway for electrical impulses from the AV Node to the bundle branches.

Purkinje Fibers

Fibers that carry electrical impulses to the heart muscle.

Diastole

The phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart is resting and filling with blood.

Systole

The phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart is contracting.

Repolarized state

The state of cardiac cells after the impulse passes, returning to a resting state.

Depolarized state

The state of cardiac cells when the impulse hits, turning the cell positive.

SA Node

Fires at 60-100 BPM