ECG

Irfan Ziad MD UCD drkupe.blogspot.com

A NOOBS GUIDE TO

What is ECG?
Electrocardiographyis transthoracic interpretation of the electrical activity of the heart over time captured and externally recorded by skin electrodes for diagnostic or research purposes on human hearts.

THE HISTORY OF ECG MACHINE

1903
Willem Einthoven
A Dutch doctor and physiologist. He invented the first practical electrocardiogram and received the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1924 for it

NOW

Modern ECG machine

has evolved into compact electronic systems that often include computerized interpretation of the electrocardiogram.

ECG Machines!

The graph paper recording produced by the machine is termed an electrocardiogram, It is usually called ECG or EKG

STANDARD CALLIBRATION

Speed = 25mm/s Amplitude = 0.1mV/mm

1mV 10mm high 1 large square 0.2s(200ms) 1 small square 0.04s (40ms) or 1 mV amplitude

HOW TO DO ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY
1. Place the patient in a supine or semi-Fowler's position. If the patient cannot tolerate being flat, you can do the ECG in a more upright position. 2. Instruct the patient to place their arms down by their side and to relax their shoulders. 3. Make sure the patient's legs are uncrossed. 4. Remove any electrical devices, such as cell phones, away from the patient as they may interfere with the machine. 5. If you're getting artifact in the limb leads, try having the patient sit on top of their hands. 6. Causes of artifact: patient movement, loose/defective electrodes/apparatus, improper grounding.

Patient, supine position

An ECG with artifacts.

Electrodes
Usually consist of a conducting gel, embedded in the middle of a self-adhesive pad onto which cables clip. Ten electrodes are used for a 12-lead ECG.

Placement of electrodes
The limb electrodes RA - On the right arm, avoiding thick muscle LA On the left arm this time. RL - On the right leg, lateral calf muscle LL- On the left leg this time.
The 6 chest electrodes V1 - Fourth intercostal space, right sternal border. V2 - Fourth intercostal space, left sternal border. V3 - Midway between V2 and V4. V4 - Fifth intercostal space, left midclavicular line. V5 - Level with V4, left anterior axillary line. V6 - Level with V4, left mid axillary line.

How does an ECG work?

The ECG works mostly by detecting and amplifying the tiny electrical changes on the skin that are caused when the heart muscle "depolarizes" during each heart beat.

PEOPLE USUALLY REFER THE ELECTRODES CABLES AS

LEADS
DUDE, THATS CONFUSING!

LEADS
should be correctly defined as the tracing of the voltage difference between the electrodes and is what is actually produced by the ECG recorder.

SO, WHERE ARE THE

LEAD S?

LEADS I, II, III

THEY ARE FORMED BY VOLTAGE TRACINGS BETWEEN THE LIMB ELECTRODES (RA, LA, RL AND LL). THESE ARE THE ONLY BIPOLAR LEADS. ALL TOGETHER THEY ARE CALLED THE LIMB LEADS OR

THE EINTHOVENS TRIANGLE

RA

LA

II

III

RL

LL

LEADS aVR, aVL, aVF

THEY ARE ALSO DERIVED FROM THE LIMB ELECTRODES, THEY MEASURE THE ELECTRIC POTENTIAL AT ONE POINT WITH RESPECT TO A NULL POINT. THEY ARE THE AUGMENTED LIMB LEADS
RA
LA

aVR

aVL

aVF
RL LL

LEADS V1,V2,V3,V4,V5,V6
THEY ARE PLACED DIRECTLY ON THE CHEST. BECAUSE OF THEIR CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THE HEART, THEY DO NOT REQUIRE AUGMENTATION. THEY ARE CALLED THE PRECORDIAL LEADS

RA

LA

V1

V2 V3 V4 V6 V5

RL

LL

These leads help to determine hearts electrical axis. The limb leads and the augmented limb leads form the frontal plane. The precordial leads form the horizontal plane.

The Different Views Reflect The Angles At Which LEADS "LOOK" At The Heart And The Direction Of The Heart's Electrical Depolarization. Leads V1, V2, V3, V4 I, aVL, V5, V6 II, III, aVF aVR, V1 Anatomical representation of the heart Anterior left lateral inferior Right atrium

A NORMAL ECG WAVE

REMEMBER

THE NORMAL SIZE

<3 small square

< 2 small square

<3-5 small square

< 2 large square

Understan ding ECG Waveform

If a wavefront of depolarization travels towards the positive electrode, a positive-going deflection will result. If the waveform travels away from the positive electrode, a negative going deflection will be seen.

ECG
INTERPRETATION
The More You See, The More You Know

OBTAIN A N ECG, ACT CONFIDENT, READ THE PT DETAILS

OBTAIN A N ECG, ACT CONFIDENT, READ THE PT DETAILS

Some ECG machines come with interpretation software. This one says the patient is fine. DO NOT totally trust this software.

The best way to interpret an ECG is to do it step-by-step

Rate Rhythm Cardiac Axis P wave PR - interval QRS Complex ST Segment QT interval (Include T and U wave) Other ECG signs

RATE

CALCULATING RATE As a general interpretation, look at lead II at the bottom part of the ECG strip. This lead is the rhythm strip which shows the rhythm for the whole time the ECG is recorded. Look at the number of square between one R-R interval. To calculate rate, use any of the following formulas:

Rate =

300 the number of BIG SQUARE between R-R interval

OR
1500

Rate =

the number of SMALL SQUARE between R-R interval

CALCULATING RATE For example:

Rate =

300

or

Rate =

1500 15

3
Rate = 100 beats per minute

CALCULATING RATE If you think that the rhythm is not regular, count the number of electrical beats in a 6-second strip and multiply that number by 10.(Note that some ECG strips have 3 seconds and 6 seconds marks) Example below: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

There are 8 waves in this 6-seconds strip.

Rate

= (Number of waves in 6-second strips) x 10 = 8 x 10 = 80 bpm

CALCULATING RATE You can also count the number of beats on any one row over the ten-second strip (the whole lenght) and multiply by 6. Example:

Rate

= (Number of waves in 10-second strips) x 6 = 13 x 6 = 78 bpm

CALCULATING RATE

Interpretation Normal Bradycardia

bpm 60-99 <60

Causes hypothermia, increased vagal tone (due to vagal stimulation or e.g. drugs), atheletes (fit people) hypothyroidism, beta blockade, marked intracranial hypertension, obstructive jaundice, and even in uraemia, structural SA node disease, or ischaemia.

Tachycardia

>100

Any cause of adrenergic stimulation (including pain); thyrotoxicosis; hypovolaemia; vagolytic drugs (e.g. atropine) anaemia, pregnancy; vasodilator drugs, including many hypotensive agents; FEVER, myocarditis

RHYTHM

RHYTHM Look at p waves and their relationship to QRS complexes. Lead II is commonly used Regular or irregular? If in doubt, use a paper strip to map out consecutive beats and see whether the rate is the same further along the ECG. Measure ventricular rhythm by measuring the R-R interval and atrial rhythm by measuring P-P interval.

RHYTHM

Normal Sinus Rhythm

ECG rhythm characterized by a usual rate of anywhere between 60-99 bpm, every P wave must be followed by a QRS and every QRS is preceded by P wave. Normal duration of PR interval is 3-5 small squares. The P wave is upright in leads I and II

RHYTHM

Sinus Bradycardia

Rate < 60bpm, otherwise normal

RHYTHM

Sinus Tachycardia

Rate >100bpm, otherwise, normal

RHYTHM

Sinus pause

In disease (e.g. sick sinus syndrome) the SA node can fail in its pacing function. If failure is brief and recovery is prompt, the result is only a missed beat (sinus pause). If recovery is delayed and no other focus assumes pacing function, cardiac arrest follows.

RHYTHM

Atrial Fibrillation

A-fib is the most common cardiac arrhythmia involving atria. Rate= ~150bpm, irregularly irregular, baseline irregularity, no visible p waves, QRS occur irregularly with its length usually < 0.12s

RHYTHM

Atrial Flutter

Atrial Rate=~300bpm, similar to A-fib, but have flutter waves, ECG baseline adapts saw-toothed appearance. Occurs with atrioventricular block (fixed degree), eg: 3 flutters to 1 QRS complex:

RHYTHM

Ventricular Fibrillation

A severely abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that can be life-threatening. Emergency- requires Basic Life Support Rate cannot be discerned, rhythm unorganized

RHYTHM

Ventricular tachycardia

fast heart rhythm, that originates in one of the ventricles- potentially lifethreatening arrhythmia because it may lead to ventricular fibrillation, asystole, and sudden death. Rate=100-250bpm

RHYTHM

Torsades de Pointes

literally meaning twisting of points, is a distinctive form of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia characterized by a gradual change in the amplitude and twisting of the QRS complexes around the isoelectric line. Rate cannot be determined.

RHYTHM Supraventricular Tachycardia

SVT is any tachycardic rhythm originating above the ventricular tissue.Atrial and ventricular rate= 150-250bpm Regular rhythm, p is usually not discernable.
*Types: Sinoatrial node reentrant tachycardia (SANRT) Ectopic (unifocal) atrial tachycardia (EAT) Multifocal atrial tachycardia (MAT) A-fib or A flutter with rapid ventricular response. Without rapid ventricular response both usually not classified as SVT AV nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) Permanent (or persistent) junctional reciprocating tachycardia (PJRT) AV reentrant tachycardia (AVRT)

RHYTHM

Atrial Escape

a cardiac dysrhythmia occurring when sustained suppression of sinus impulse formation causes other atrial foci to act as cardiac pacemakers. Rate= 60-80bpm, p wave of atrial escape has abnormal axis and different from the p wave in the sinus beat. However QRS complexes look exactly the same.

RHYTHM

Junctional Escape

Depolarization initiated in the atrioventricular junction when one or more impulses from the sinus node are ineffective or nonexistent. Rate: 40-60 bpm, Rhythm: Irregular in single junctional escape complex; regular in junctional escape rhythm, P waves: Depends on the site of the ectopic focus. They will be inverted, and may appear before or after the QRS complex, or they may be absent, hidden by the QRS. QRS is usually normal

RHYTHM

Ventricular escape

The depolarization wave spreads slowly via abnormal pathway in the ventricular myocardium and not via the His bundle and bundle branches.

RHYTHM

Atrial premature beat (APB)

Arises from an irritable focus in one of the atria. APB produces different looking P wave, because depolarization vector is abnormal. QRS complex has normal duration and same morphology .

RHYTHM

Junctional Premature Beat

Arises from an irritable focus at the AV junction. The P wave associated with atrial depolarization in this instance is usually buried inside the QRS complex and not visible. If p is visible, it is -ve in lead II and +ve in lead aVR and it it may occur before or after QRS.

RHYTHM

Premature Ventricular Complexes (PVCs)

is a relatively common event where the heartbeat is initiated by the heart ventricles(arrow) rather than by the sinoatrial node, Rate depends on underlying rhythm and number of PVCs. Occasionally irregular rhythm, no p-wave associated with PVCs. May produce bizarre looking T wave.

RHYTHM

Asystole

a state of no cardiac electrical activity, hence no contractions of the myocardium and no cardiac output or blood flow. Rate, rhythm, p and QRS are absent

RHYTHM

Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA)

Not an actual rhythm. The absence of a palpable pulse and myocardial muscle activity with the presence of organized muscle activity (excluding VT and VF) on cardiac monitor. Pt is clinically dead.

RHYTHM

Artificial pacemaker

Sharp, thin spike. Rate depends on pacemaker, p wave maybe absent or present Ventricular paced rhythm shows wide ventricular pacemaker spikes

CARDIAC AXIS

CARDIAC AXIS The cardiac axis refers to the general direction of the heart's depolarization wavefront (or mean electrical vector) in the frontal plane. With a healthy conducting system the cardiac axis is related to where the major muscle bulk of the heart lies.

Electrical impulse that travels towards the electrode produces an upright (positive) deflection (of the QRS complex) relative to the isoelectric baseline. One that travels away produces negative deflection. And one that travels at a right angle to the lead, produces a biphasic wave.

CARDIAC AXIS To determine cardiac axis look at QRS complexes of lead , II, III.
Axis Normal Right axis deviation Lead I Positive Negative Lead II Positive Positive Lead III Positive/Negative Positive

Left axis deviation

Positive

Negative

Negative

Remember, positive(upgoing) QRS omplex means the impulse travels towards the lead. Negative means moving away.

CARDIAC AXIS

Positive

Positive

Positive

Normal Axis Deviation

CARDIAC AXIS

Positive

Negative

Negative

Left Axis Deviation

CARDIAC AXIS

Negative

Positive

Positive

Right Axis Deviation

CARDIAC AXIS

Cardiac Axis Left axis deviation

Causes Normal variation in pregnancy, obesity; Ascites, abdominal distention, tumour; left anterior hemiblock, left ventricular hypertrophy, Q WolffParkinson-White syndrome, Inferior MI normal finding in children and tall thin adults, chronic lung disease(COPD), left posterior hemiblock, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, anterolateral MI. emphysema, hyperkalaemia. lead transposition, artificial cardiac pacing, ventricular tachycardia

Right axis deviation

North West

P- WAVE

P -WAVE

Normal P- wave 3 small square wide, and 2.5 small square high. Always positive in lead I and II in NSR Always negative in lead aVR in NSR Commonly biphasic in lead V1

P -WAVE
P pulmonale Tall peaked P wave. Generally due to enlarged right atrium- commonly associated with congenital heart disease, tricuspid valve disease, pulmonary hypertension and diffuse lung disease.

Biphasic P wave Its terminal negative deflection more than 40 ms wide and more than 1 mm deep is an ECG sign of left atrial enlargement.

P mitrale Wide P wave, often bifid, may be due to mitral stenosis or left atrial enlargement.

PR- INTERVAL

PR INTERVAL NORMAL PR INTERVAL

Long PR interval may indicate heart block Short PR interval may disease like Wolf-ParkinsonWhite

PR-Interval 3-5 small square (120-200ms)

PR-INTERVAL

First degree heart block

P wave precedes QRS complex but P-R intervals prolong (>5 small squares) and remain constant from beat to beat

PR-INTERVAL Second degree heart block

1. Mobitz Type I or Wenckenbach

Runs in cycle, first P-R interval is often normal. With successive beat, P-R interval lengthens until there will be a P wave with no following QRS complex. The block is at AV node, often transient, maybe asymptomatic

PR-INTERVAL Second degree heart block

2. Mobitz Type 2

P-R interval is constant, duration is normal/prolonged. Periodically, no conduction between atria and ventricles- producing a p wave with no associated QRS complex. (blocked p wave). The block is most often below AV node, at bundle of His or BB, May progress to third degree heart block

PR-INTERVAL

Third degree heart block (Complete heart block)

No relationship between P waves and QRS complexes An accessory pacemaker in the lower chambers will typically activate the ventricles- escape rhythm. Atrial rate= 60-100bpm. Ventricular rate based on site of escape pacemaker. Atrial and ventricular rhythm both are regular.

PR-INTERVAL

WolffParkinsonWhite syndrome
Wolf Parkinson White Syndrome One beat from a rhythm strip in V2 demonstrating characteristic findings in WPW syndrome. Note the characteristic delta wave (above the blue bar), the short PR interval (red bar) of 0.08 seconds, and the long QRS complex (green) at 0.12 seconds

Accessory pathway (Bundle of Kent) allows early activation of the ventricle (delta wave and short PR interval)

QRS-COMPLEX

QRS COMPLEX NORMAL QRS COMPLEX

S amplitude in V1 + R amplitude in V5 < 3.5

Q wave amplitude less than 1/3 QRS amplitude(R+S) or < 1 small square Increased amplitude indicated cardiac hypertrophy

QRS complex< 3 small square (0.06 - 0.10 sec) Prolonged indicates hyperkalemia or bundle branch block

QRS COMPLEX
Left Bundle Branch Block (LBBB) Right bundle branch block (RBBB) indirect activation causes left ventricle contracts indirect activation causes right ventricle later than the right ventricle. contracts later than the left ventricle QS or rS complex in V1 - W-shaped RsR' wave in V6- M-shaped Terminal R wave (rSR) in V1 - M-shaped Slurred S wave in V6 - W-shaped

Mnemonic: WILLIAM

Mnemonic: MARROW

ST- SEGMENT

ST SEGMENT NORMAL ST SEGMENT

ST segment is isoelectric and at the same level as subsequent PR-interval

ST segment < 2-3 small square (80 to 120 ms)

ST SEGMENT OK, WE GONNA TALK ABOUT MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION (MI) THERE ARE 2 TYPES OF MI

ST-ELEVATION MI (STEMI)

AND

NON ST-ELEVATION MI (NSTEMI)

WE DECIDE THIS BY LOOKING AT THE ST SEGMENT IN ALL LEADS Flat (isoelectric) Same level with subsequent PR segment NORMAL ST SEGMENT Elevation or depression of ST segment by 1 mm or more, measured at J point is abnormal. J point is the point between QRS and ST segment

ST-SEGMENT Localizing MI
Look at ST changes, Q wave in all leads. Grouping the leads into anatomical location, we have this:

Ischaemic change can be attributed to different coronary arteries supplying the area.
Location of Lead with Affected MI ST changes coronary artery Anterior Septum left lateral inferior V1, V2, V3, V4 V1, V2 I, aVL, V5, V6 II, III, aVF LAD LAD Left circumflex RCA RCA RCA RCA

I II III

aVR

V1

V4
V5 V6

aVL
aVF

V2
V3

Right atrium aVR, V1 *Posterior

(RCA)

Posterior chest leads Right sided leads

*Right ventricle
(LAD)

*To help identify MI, right sided and posterior leads can be applied

DIAGNOSING MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION (STEMI)

Criteria: ST elevation in > 2 chest leads > 2mm elevation ST elevation in > 2 limb leads > 1mm elevation Q wave > 0.04s (1 small square).

*Be careful of LBBB The diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction should be made circumspectively in the presence of pre-existing LBBB. On the other hand, the appearance of new LBBB should be regarded as sign of acute MI until proven otherwise

Pathologic Q waves are a sign of previous myocardial infarction.

Definition of a pathologic Q wave Any Q-wave in leads V2V3 0.02 s or QS complex in leads V2 and V3 Q-wave 0.03 s and > 0.1 mV deep or QS complex in leads I, II, aVL, aVF, or V4V6 in any two leads of a contiguous lead grouping (I, aVL,V6; V4V6; II, III, and aVF) R-wave 0.04 s in V1V2 and R/S 1 with a concordant positive T-wave in the absence of a conduction defect. A little bit troublesome to remember? I usually take pathological Q wave as >1 small square deep

ST SEGMENT ST-ELEVATION MI (STEMI) 0 HOUR

Pronounced T Wave initially ST elevation (convex type)

1-24H

Depressed R Wave, and Pronounced T Wave. Pathological Q waves may appear within hours or may take greater than 24 hr.- indicating fullthickness MI. Q wave is pathological if it is wider than 40 ms or deeper than a third of the height of the entire QRS complex Exaggeration of T Wave continues for 24h.

Day 1-2

Days later

T Wave inverts as the ST elevation begins to resolve. Persistent ST elevation is rare except in the presence of a ventricular aneurysm.

Weeks later

ECG returns to normal T wave, but retains pronounced Q wave. An old infarct may look like this

ST SEGMENT Lets see this

>2mm

Pathological Q wave Check again! I II aVR aVL V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 ST elevation in > 2 chest leads > 2mm

Q wave > 0.04s (1 small square). Yup, Its acute anterolateral MI!

III

aVF

ST SEGMENT How about this one?

Check again! I II aVR aVL V1 V2 V3 V4 Inferior MI! V5 V6

III

aVF

ST SEGMENT NON ST-ELEVATION MI (NSTEMI) NSTEMI is also known as subendocardial or non Q-wave MI. In a pt with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) in which the ECG does not show ST elevation, NSTEMI (subendocardial MI) is suspected if

ST Depression (A) T wave inversion with or without ST depression (B) Q wave and ST elevation will never happen

To confirm a NSTEMI, do Troponin test: If positive - NSTEMI If negative unstable angina pectoris

ST SEGMENT NON ST-ELEVATION MI (NSTEMI)

N-STEMI: acute coronary syndrome (with troponin increase). Arrows indicate ischemic ST segment changes. Without appropriate treatment in many cases STEMI infarction will occur.

ST SEGMENT MYOCARDIAL ISCHEMIA

1mm ST-segment depression Symmetrical, tall T wave Long QT- interval

A ST depression is more suggestive of myocardial ischaemia than infarction

ST SEGMENT

PERICARDITIS ST elevation with concave shape, mostly seen in all leads

ST SEGMENT

DIGOXIN
Down sloping ST segment depression also known as the "reverse tick" or "reverse check" sign in supratherapeutic digoxin level.

ST SEGMENT Now, moving to

LEFT VENTRICULAR

HYPERTROPHY

AND

RIGHT VENTRICULAR

HYPERTROPHY

So, we have to start looking at the S waves and R waves

ST SEGMENT

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH)

To determine LVH, use one of the following Criteria:
Sokolow & Lyon Criteria: S (V1) + R(V5 or V6) > 35mm Cornell Criteria: S (V3) + R (aVL) > 28 mm (men) or > 20 mm (women) Others: R (aVL) > 13mm
Example:

S (V1) + R(V5) = 15 + 25 = 40mm S(V3) + R (aVL)= 15 + 14 =29mm R(aVL) =14 mm

LVH!

ST SEGMENT

Lets see another example of LVH

LVH strain pattern

Tall R waves in V4 and V5 with down sloping ST segment depression and T wave inversion are suggestive of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) with strain pattern. LVH with strain pattern usually occurs in pressure overload of the left ventricle as in systemic hypertension or aortic stenosis.

ST SEGMENT

Right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH)

Right axis deviation (QRS axis >100o) V1(R>S), V6 (S>R) Right ventricular strain T wave inversion
Example:

So, its RVH!

ST SEGMENT

Common Causes of LVH and RVH

LVH

RVH

Hypertension (most common cause) Aortic stenosis Aortic regurgitation Mitral regurgitation Coarctation of the aorta Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Pulmonary hypertension Tetralogy of Fallot Pulmonary valve stenosis Ventricular septal defect (VSD) High altitude Cardiac fibrosis COPD Athletic heart syndrome

QT- INTERVAL

QT- INTERVAL QT interval decreases when heart rate increases. A general guide to the upper limit of QT interval. For HR = 70 bpm, QT<0.40 sec. For every 10 bpm increase above 70 subtract 0.02s. For every 10 bpm decrease below 70 add 0.02 s As a general guide the QT interval should be 0.35- 0.45 s,(<2 large square) and should not be more than half of the interval between adjacent R waves (R-R interval)

< 2 large square

Calculation of QT interval 1.Use lead II. Use lead V5 alternatively if lead II cannot be read. 2.Draw a line through the baseline (preferably the PR segment) 3.Draw a tangent against the steepest part of the end of the T wave. If the T wave has two positive deflections, the taller deflection should be chosen. If the T wave is biphasic, the end of the taller deflection should be chosen. 4.The QT interval starts at the beginning of the QRS interval and ends where the tangent and baseline cross. 5.If the QRS duration exceeds 120ms the amount surpassing ,120ms should be deducted from the QT interval (i.e. QT=QT-(QRS width-120ms) ) To calculate the heart rate-corrected QT interval QTc. Bazett's formula is used

18 small square

QT = 0.04 x 10 small square= 0.4s RR = 0.04 x 18 small square= 0.72s

10 small square

If abnormally prolonged or shortened, there is a risk of developing ventricular arrhythmias The QT interval is prolonged in congenital long QT syndrome, but QT prolongation can also occur as a consequence of Medication (anti-arrhythmics, tricyclic antidepressants, phenothiazedes) Electrolyte imbalances Ischemia. QT prolongation is often treated with beta blockers.

LONG QT SYNDROME

LQT is a rare inborn heart condition in which repolarization of the heart is delayed following a heartbeat. Example: Jervell and Lange-Nielsen Syndrome or Romano-Ward Syndrome

T-WAVE Normal T wave Asymmetrical, the first half having more gradual slope than the second half >1/8 and < 2/3 of the amplitude of corresponding R wave Amplitude rarely exceeds 10mm Abnormal T waves are symmetrical, tall, peaked, biphasic, or inverted.

U-WAVE The U wave is a wave on an electrocardiogram that is not always seen. It is typically small, and, by definition, follows the T wave. U waves are thought to represent repolarization of the papillary muscles or Purkinje fibers
Normal U waves are small, round and symmetrical and positive in lead II. It is the same direction as T wave in that lead.

Prominent U waves are most often seen in hypokalemia, but may be present in hypercalcemia, thyrotoxicosis, or exposure to digitalis,epinephrine, and Class 1A and 3 antiarrhythmics, as well as in congenital long QT syndrome, and in the setting of intracranial hemorrhage. An inverted U wave may represent myocardial ischemia or left ventricular volume overload

OTHER ECG SIGNS

HYPERKALAEMIA

Narrow and tall peaked T wave (A) is an early sign PR interval becomes longer P wave loses its amplitude and may disappear QRS complex widens (B) When hyperkalemia is very severe, the widened QRS complexes merge with their corresponding T waves and the resultant ECG looks like a series of sine waves (C). If untreated, the heart arrests in asystole

HYPOKALAEMIA
T wave becomes flattened together with appearance of a prominent U wave. The ST segment may become depressed and the T wave inverted. these additional changes are not related to the degree of hypokalemia.

HYPERCALCEMIA/HYPOCALCEMIA

Usually, signs are not obvious Hypercalcemia is associated with short QT interval (A) and Hypocalcemia with long QT interval (B). Interval shortening or lengthening is mainly in the ST segment.

PULMONARY EMBOLISM

Tachycardia and incomplete RBBB differentiated PE from no PE. SIQIIITIII = deep S wave in lead I, pathological Q wave in lead III, and inverted T wave in lead III. The ECG is often abnormal in PE, but findings are not sensitive, not specific Any cause of acute cor pulmonale can cause the S1Q3T3 finding on the ECG.

Now, find some ECG quizzes and practice!

Noobs!