US Library > Medical Professional - Clinical > Non-Invasive and Testing Procedures > ECG Interpretation for Medical Professionals

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ECG Interpretation for Medical Professionals

Medical Professional - Clinical > Non-Invasive and Testing Procedures
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Learn how to prepare for, record, and interpret a 12-lead ECG.

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An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a method to graphically display the electric current generated by the heart muscle during a heartbeat. This SIMTICS module teaches you how to prepare for, record, and interpret a 12-lead ECG. Including both Learn and Test modes, the online simulator offers a scenario that tests your ability to interpret a 12-lead ECG. Practice the steps of the procedure as often as you want until you are confident.

If you are not a medical student or physician, you may prefer the other version of this module, which includes all the procedural information needed by professionals in other roles: /shop/imaging/sonography/echocardiography/electrocardiogram-(ecg)-12-lead/

You’ll learn

  • to practice, perfect, and test your skills in setting up, recording, and interpreting a 12-lead ECG
  • to better visualize and understand the anatomy and physiology of the heart, with our 3D model and illustrations
  • how to determine the heart rate and identify different heart rhythms on the ECG strip: atrial, junctional, ventricular, and pacemaker rhythms, and AV blocks
  • about stress testing and Holter monitoring
  • much more (see Content Details for specific information)
Introduction
Step 1 - Record the ECG
Step 1.1 - Annotate the presence of symptoms on the ECG tracing
Step 2 - Analyze the rhythm strip (2 lead)
Step 2.1 - Assess the rate
Step 2.1.1 - The 6-second ECG count
Step 2.1.2 - Count large squares
Step 2.1.3 - Count small squares
Step 2.1.4 - Sequence method
Step 2.2 - Assess the rhythm
Step 2.2.1 - Ventricular rhythm
Step 2.2.2 - Atrial rhythm
Step 2.2.3 - Regularity
Step 2.3 - Identify and assess the P wave
Step 2.4 - Assess the intervals (conduction)
Step 2.4.1 - PR interval
Step 2.4.2 - QRS duration
Step 2.4.3 - QT interval
Step 2.5 - Evaluate overall appearance
Step 3 - Sinus rhythms
Step 3.1 - Features of sinus rhythms
Step 3.2 - Sinus bradycardia
Step 3.3 - Sinus tachycardia
Step 3.4 - Sinus arrhythmia
Step 3.5 - Sinoatrial block
Step 3.6 - Sinus arrest
Step 4 - Atrial arrhythmia
Step 4.1 - Premature atrial complexes (PACs)
Step 4.2 - Wandering atrial pacemaker
Step 4.3 - Multifocal atrial tachycardia
Step 4.4 - Supraventricular tachycardia
Step 4.4.1 - Atrial tachycardia
Step 4.4.2 - AVNRT
Step 4.4.3 - AVRT
Step 4.5 - Atrial flutter
Step 4.6 - Atrial fibrillation
Step 5 - Junctional arrhythmia
Step 5.1 - Premature junctional complexes (PJCs)
Step 5.2 - Junctional escape beats/rhythm
Step 5.3 - Accelerated junctional rhythm
Step 5.4 - Junctional tachycardia
Step 6 - Ventricular arrhythmia
Step 6.1 - Premature ventricular complexes
Step 6.1.1 - Types of PVC
Step 6.2 - Ventricular escape beats
Step 6.3 - Idioventricular rhythm
Step 6.4 - Accelerated idioventricular rhythm (AIVR)
Step 6.5 - Ventricular tachycardia (VT)
Step 6.5.1 - Types of VT
Step 6.6 - Ventricular fibrillation (VF)
Step 6.7 - Asystole
Step 6.8 - Pulseless electrical activity
Step 7 - AV blocks
Step 7.1 - First-degree AV block
Step 7.2 - Second-degree AV block
Step 7.2.1 - Second-degree AV block type I (Wenckebach, or Mobitz type I)
Step 7.2.2 - Second-degree AV block type II (Mobitz type II)
Step 7.2.3 - Second-degree AV block, 2:1 conduction (2:1 AV block)
Step 7.3 - Third-degree/complete AV block
Step 8 - Pacemaker rhythms
Step 8.1 - Pacemaker terminology
Step 8.2 - Pacemaker systems
Step 8.2.1 - Single-chamber pacemakers
Step 8.2.2 - Dual-chamber pacemakers
Step 8.2.3 - Transcutaneous pacing
Step 8.3 - Pacemaker malfunction and complications
Step 8.4 - Analyzing pacemaker function with an ECG
Step 9 - Interpret the 12-lead ECG
Step 9.1 - Normal 12-lead ECG
Step 9.1.1 - Leads
Step 9.1.2 - Layout of the 12-lead ECG
Step 9.2 - Axis
Step 9.2.1 - Vectors
Step 9.2.2 - Einthoven's triangle/Hexaxial reference system
Step 9.2.3 - Two-lead method of axis determination
Step 9.3 - Myocardial ischemia
Step 9.3.1 - ST segment changes
Step 9.3.2 - T wave changes
Step 9.4 - Myocardial infarction
Step 9.4.1 - ST changes
Step 9.4.2 - T wave changes
Step 9.4.3 - Q waves
Step 9.5 - Pericarditis
Step 9.6 - Pericardial effusion
Step 9.7 - Electrolyte imbalance
Step 9.7.1 - Imbalance of sodium ions
Step 9.7.2 - Imbalance of calcium ions
Step 9.7.3 - Imbalance of magnesium ions
Step 9.7.4 - Imbalance of potassium ions
Step 9.8 - Conduction abnormalities
Step 9.8.1 - Right bundle branch block
Step 9.8.2 - Left bundle branch block
Step 9.9 - Analyzing an ECG
Step 9.9.1 - Systematic method
Step 10 - Stress testing and Holter monitoring
  • Describe the anatomy and physiology of the heart
  • Identify the basic electrophysiology of the heart
  • Describe the sinus mechanisms
  • Describe atrial rhythms
  • Describe junctional rhythms
  • Describe ventricular rhythms
  • Describe atrioventricular (AV) blocks
  • Describe pacemaker rhythms
  • Explain and demonstrate the 12-lead ECG
  • Describe stress testing and Holter monitoring

The SIMTICS modules are all easy to use and web-based. This means they are available at any time as long as the learner has an internet connection. No special hardware or other equipment is required, other than a computer mouse for use in the simulations. Each of the SIMTICS modules covers one specific procedure or topic in detail. Each module contains:

  • an online simulation (available in Learn and Test modes)
  • descriptive text, which explains exactly how to perform that particular procedure including key terms and hyperlinks to references
  • 2D images and a 3D model of applied anatomy for that particular topic
  • a step by step video demonstration by an expert
  • a quiz
  • a personal logbook that keeps track of all the modules the learner has studied and how long

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