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TELEMETRY
1. Review of the conduction system
2. EKG waveforms and intervals
3. EKG leads
4. Determining heart rate
5. Determining QRS axis
The electrocardiogram (EKG) is a representation of the
electrical events of the cardiac cycle.
10 Second Rule
Take the number of big boxes between neighboring
QRS complexes, and divide this into 300. The result will
be approximately equal to the rate
(300 / 6) = 50 bpm
www.uptodate.com
(300 / ~ 4) = ~ 75 bpm
(300 / 1.5) = 200 bpm
It may be easiest to memorize the following table:
# of big Rate
boxes
1 300
2 150
3 100
4 75
5 60
6 50
As most EKGs record 10 seconds of rhythm per page,
one can simply count the number of beats present
on the EKG and multiply by 6 to get the number of
beats per 60 seconds.
33 x 6 = 198 bpm
The QRS axis represents the net overall direction of the
hearts electrical activity.
Though the picture has poor resolution, it is clear that the lateral leads
reveal a pattern of digoxin toxicity. Even though rate is impossible to
determine, the cored-out and depressed ST segments in the lateral
precordial leads suggest digoxin toxicity. Furthermore, the irregular R to
R intervals hint at a baseline rhythm of atrial fibrillation. Many patients
take digoxin for chronic atrial fibrillation. Moderate left axis deviation.
EKG #9:
This EKG reveals a baseline sinus rhythm (ps are difficult to discern.) The
rhythm is a sinus tachycardia at approximately 100 per minute. Massive ST
segment elevation is present in leads II, III, and aVF. Reciprocal changes
(depression) in leads I and aVL. Note that the precordial chest leads (v4R to
V6R) are placed on the right side of the chest. ST segment in a right-sided
EKG likely indicates an inferior wall MI that involves the RIGHT ventricle. Be
careful when giving these patients NTG. Administration of nitrates, due to the
alteration of venous preload, can precipitate hypotension. Treat these MIs with
fluid first. The axis is physiologic, no evidence of chamber enlargement. R wave
progression is not of value in this EKG because of the right sided chest leads.
Rhythm interpretation:
-The first strip reveals a prolonged PR interval, with 1:1 conduction. This
rhythm is a first degree A/V block.
-The second strip is a 4:1 (or 3:1) atrial flutter.
-The third rhythm strip reveals the typical atrial fibrillation. Note the
fibrillatory baseline with irregular R to R intervals.
The QT/QTc Interval: Calculation and Significance
Measurement: From the beginning of the Q wave to the
end of the T wave
Parameter: Normal QT intervals range from 0.36-
0.41.
Abnormalities: Hypercalcemia will shorten the QT interval
and yield measurements from 0.26-0.36s.
QTc: The QT interval varies with heart rate. The
corrected QT interval is calculated by
adjusting your measurement for the
patients heart rate. The QT divided by the
square root of the R to R interval typically
gives a QTc around 0.44 seconds.
Lengthening: Diseases, drugs, and toxins can prolong
the QT interval and precipitate attacks of
lethal ventricular arrhythmias.
Long QT syndrome, Romano-Ward Syndrome EKG:
The QTc, adjusted for rate, would almost certainly be greater than 0.44
seconds. You can see in this example that the QTc is approximately 0.5-0.6
seconds (almost 3 large boxes!)
Rate Cheat Sheet
Name that
hypertrophy?
a) RVH
b) LVH
c) RAH
d) LAH
The EKG findings are consistent with: RVH
Criteria for right ventricular hypertrophy include:
-Tall R wave in lead V1 (R>S)
-qR pattern in V1
-Right axis deviation
-T wave inversion in right to mid precordial leads possible
-Commonly due to ASD!
-The pattern of T wave inversion is called, strainand is consistent with
repolarization problems in hypertrophied muscle.
A. Normal Sinus Rhythm
B. Atrial Fibrillation