Intro to ECG
What is an ECG
ECG stands for electrocardiograph
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žAn ECG is performed to determine a patients' heart rate and rhythm and identify if there are any conduction abnormalities.
Patient Identification
It is very important to confirm the patient details match the patient in front of you.
​3 Steps to correct identify
Patient must state all of the following
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Full name
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Date of birth
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Address
Conduction system of the heart
Features on an ECG
Hooking up an ECG
Components
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ECG electrodes
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ECG machine
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Leads/Cables
Limb leads (4)
Chest/Precordial leads (6)
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Chest Leads
6 unipolar leads
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V1: 4th intercostal space, right sternal border
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V2: 4th intercostal space, left sternal border
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V3: between V2 and V3
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V4: 5th intercostal space, left mid-clavicular line
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V5: 5th intercostal space, left anterior axillary line
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V6: 5th intercostal space, left mid axillary line​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Limb leads
4 leads
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Right leg (RL): inside calf, midway between knee & ankle on the right
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Left Leg (LL): inside calf, midway between knee & ankle on the left
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Right arm (RA): inside arm, between elbows and wrist on the right
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Left arm (LA): inside arm, between elbows and wrist on the left
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4 limb leads produce
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3 unipolar leads – (aVF, aVL, aVR)
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3 bipolar leads – (I, II, III)
12 lead ECG views
Septal: V1-V2
Anterior: V3-V4
Lateral: V5-V6
Inferior: II, III, aVF
High lateral: I and aVL
Information on an ECG
Correct ECG positioning - limb leads
Limb lead reversal
Reverse right arm and leg
Correct ECG positioning - chest leads
Identifying artifact on ECG
Important to get a clean quality ECG
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Avoid external interference which may mimic or obscure true physiological recordings.
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Common forms of artifact include
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Muscle artifact
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Movement artifact
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Electrical interference – 50 Hz
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Wandering baseline
Clean recording
Muscle artifact
Muscle artifact
Movement artifact
Electrical interference
Electrical interference
Wandering baseline
