MedicoTips.Com

Reading ECG (electrocardiogram) can be a tricky thing. It needs a clear understanding of the underlying physiology. ECG is a graphical representation of the heart's electrical activity. With the help of the ECG, we can determine the heart rate, rhythm, axis or any other abnormality of the electrical conduction system. When ECG is not normal it means there is some problem in the conduction system. The cause of this problem is usually damage to the myocardium. The damaged myocardium or an abnormal myocardium can't conduct the electrical charges in a normal way and these abnormal conductions are reflected on an electrocardiogram (ECG). Axis can also be determined with the help of an ECG. Cardiac axis can deviate to right or left. But please keep in mind in pure right bundle branch block or in pure left bundle branch block cardiac axis remains normal. Thus, if you find a right axis deviation or a left axis deviation think of a pathology. Please note that the right axis devia...

By Dr. Fibhaa Syed  MBBS, FCPS, MRCP, SC Endocrinology Assistant Professor of Medicine Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Following steps should be follow while interpreting ECG. Details may be found elsewhere, in this article brief outlines regarding ECG interpretation are shared, which were explained by Assistant Professor of Medicine, Dr. Fibhaa Syed during a Post-Graduate teaching session at Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad Pakistan. Please note Normal Criteria is shared here unless specified otherwise. ECG Interpretation Steps Identification Name,  Date and Time Calibration  Normally Width = 5 squares (1 big square), (one small square = 0.04 seconds) Height = 10 small squares (1 small square = 0.1mV, 10 small squares = 1mV Rate 300 divided by Number of of large squares between two QRS complex = Rate / min Rhythm Check in lead II.  QRS ...