2023-08-02 17:00:04
The electrocardiogram (or ECG) is a simple diagnostic test that records the electrical activity of the heart over a period of time through the process of placing a series of electrodes on the patient’s body. Many medical students, and even some more experienced medical professionals, have difficulty interpreting ECGs; however, it usually happens due to ignorance of the fundamentals of the electrocardiogram.
If a logical and stepwise approach is taken, the electrocardiogram, ECG should be a simple process and can provide an immense amount of useful information, especially when used in conjunction with a patient’s clinical presentation. It is, therefore, some of the most useful research available in medicine.
General principles of cardiac function
The heart output per minute (cardiac output) is the primary cardiovascular event required to maintain blood flow throughout the body. In addition, the heart must maintain a regular cycle of relaxation and contraction to fulfill its purpose. The quintessential events necessary for a normal cardiac cycle are the rhythmic contraction and relaxation of the atria and ventricles.
electrocardiogram tracing
The electrical sequence of a cardiac cycle is initiated by the sinoatrial node, the so-called pacemaker of the heart. This is because the sinoatrial (or SA) node has faster spontaneous firing rates than the remaining specialized tissues. If this rate decreases, other parts of this specialized system can gain control, a phenomenon called escape.
A priori, talking about the fundamentals of the electrocardiogram is a complex issue for those who do not have extensive knowledge in the field. There are, however, ways to understand certain aspects through courses.
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