Chapter 26: Principles of Electrocardiography

arrhythmia    (ah RITH mee ah)

An abnormal heart rate or rhythm.

artifact

A substance, structure, or event that does not naturally occur in a situation. Examples include interference, or electrical “garbage” on an ECG, or crystals, lint, or contamination of a staining technique.

bipolar

Having two poles or electrical charges.

caliper

A pocket-sized tool used for measuring the height and width of the ECG waves and intervals.

dextrocardia    (dek stro KAHR dee ah)

The condition in which the heart is located on the right side of the chest, and the apex is pointing to the right.

echocardiography (ECHO)

The use of ultrasonic waves directed through the heart to study the structure and motion of the heart. The visual record produced is called an echocardiogram.

electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG)

A record or recording of electrical impulses of the heart as produced by an electrocardiograph.

electrodes

Adhesive patches that conduct electricity from the body to the ECG machine wires.

ion

An electrically charged atom, or the smallest component of an element.

unipolar

Having one pole or electrical charge.

cardiac cycle

A complete heartbeat.

electrocardiograph

Electricity is picked up by the electrodes and moves into this machine.

diastole

During this phase, the heart is at rest and the atria fill with blood.

intercalated disc

A myocardial cell forms a strong connection to the next cells through these special junctions.

systole

During this phase, the heart is contracting.

sinoatrial node

Pacemaker of the heart.

Bachmann's bundle

A specialized internodal tract that take the impulse to the left atria.

ECG/EKG

electrocardiogram

AV

atrioventricular

SL

semilunar

SA

sinoatrial

ECHO

echocardiography

RA

right arm

LA

left arm

LL

left leg

RL

right leg

aV

augmented vector

UV

ultraviolet

ICS

intercostal space

PACs

premature atrial contractions

PVCs

premature ventricular contractions

V-tach

ventricular tachycardia

V-fib

ventricular fibrillation

ICD

implantable cardioverter-defibrillator