ECG from Basics to Essentials

This brand new guide assists students, interns and residents in developing a functional understanding of the set-up, workings and interpretation of ECGs

• Step-by-step graphics and short, bite-sized explanations
• Covers all major cardiac abnormalities including hypertrophy, arrhythmias, conduction blocks, and pre-excitation syndromes
• Begins with a section on physiology of the heart and the basic set up of ECG recording
• Features top tips on what to look for, complete with illustrated examples
• Supported by a companion website featuring additional practice tracings

Preface vi

About the Companion Website vii

1 Anatomy and Basic Physiology 1

2 ECG Recording and ECG Leads 21

3 The Normal ECG and the Frontal Plane QRS Axis 53

4 The Components of the ECG Waves and Intervals 73

5 P waves and Atrial Abnormalities 85

6 Chamber Enlargement and Hypertrophy 99

7 Intraventricular Conduction Defects 105

8 Coronary Artery Disease and Acute Coronary Syndromes 123

9 Acute Pericarditis 187

10 The ECG in Extracardiac Disease 193

11 Sinus Node Dysfunction 203

12 Premature Ventricular Complexes (PVC) 217

13 Atrioventricular Block 227

14 Atrial Rhythm Disorders 243

15 Ventricular Tachycardias 279

16 Ventricular Fibrillation and Ventricular Flutter 305

17 Preexcitation and Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPW) 311

18 Electrolyte Abnormalities 327

19 Electrophysiologic Concepts 333

20 Antiarrhythmic Drugs 351

21 Pacemakers and their ECGs 359

22 Errors in Electrocardiography Monitoring Computerized ECG Other Sites of ECG Recording 391

23 How to Read an ECG 407

Index 425

Roland X. Stroobandt MD, PhD, FHRS
Professor of Medicine
Ghent University Hospital
Ghent, Belgium

S. Serge Barold, MD, FRACP, FACP, FACC, FESC, FHRS
The Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA

Alfons F. Sinnaeve ing., MSc
Professor Emeritus of Electronic Engineering
Technical University KUL-Vives, Department of Electronics
Oostende, Belgium

Drs. Stroobandt, Barold and Sinnaeve have developed this brand new guide to assist students, interns and residents in developing a functional understanding of the set-up, workings and interpretation of ECGs. Using their unique and unusual cartoon style ‘step-by-step’ approach, with hundreds of 4-color illustrations, the guide illuminates key concepts and skills, and covers all cardiac abnormalities including hypertrophy, arrhythmias, conduction blocks, and pre-excitation syndromes.

The text comes complete with access to online practice tracings to help build confidence in interpretation once basic knowledge is acquired.