Basic Electrocardiography - Normal And Abnormal Ecg Patterns

Electrocardiography is a simple investigation to perform, but accurate interpretation can be challenging. This book takes a logical and systematic approach to ECG interpretation, beginning with the basics of normal variations and dealing in turn with atrial abnormalities, ventricular enlargement, ventricular conduction defects and ischemic heart disease.

Extensively illustrated with ECG tracings that complement the text, this book provides clear and concise explanations of traditional concepts of electrocardiography and combines them with updates on the most recent developments in the field.

In 22 clinical cases, Professor Bayés de Luna illustrates the principles of the book by integrating electrocardiographic features with clinical findings for a thorough and methodical approach to cardiac disease. Regular self-assessments allow readers to evaluate their understanding of the ECG and reinforce key concepts.

This book is an ideal introduction to normal and abnormal ECG patterns. It is particularly valuable for medical students, residents / junior doctors and nurses who wish to broaden their skills in electrocardiography.

A. Bayes de Luna, MD, FESC, FACC

Prof. Antonio Bayes is a Professor of Cardiology in the Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona, and Director of the Institut Catala Cardiologia-Hospital Sant Pau. He was trained as a cardiologist in the School of Cardiology of the University of Barcelona, and the Institute of Cardiology and Hammersmith Hospital in London. He has served as President of the Catalan Society of Cardiology; President of the Spanish Society of Cardiology; President of the Catalan Foundation of Cardiology (ACARD); Vice-President of the Spanish Foundation of Cardiology; and President of the World Heart Federation. He has established different projects devoted to the fight against cardiovascular diseases, especially in developing countries such as "The twin centres program", "The white book in world cardiology" and the yearly "World Heart Day". He is President of the International Society for Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy (ISCP).

Foreword.

1 Introduction.

2 Usefulness And Limitations Of Electrocardiography.

3 Electrophysiological principles.

The origin of ECG morphology.

4 ECG machines: how to perform and interpret ECG.

5 Normal ECG Characteristics.

Heart rate.

Rhythm.

PR interval and segment.

QT interval.

P wave.

QRS complex.

ST segment and T wave.

Assessment of the QRS electrical axis in a frontal plane.

Rotations of the heart.

Electrocardiographic changes with age.

6 Electrocardiographic Diagnostic Criteria.

7 Atrial Abnormalities.

Right atrial enlargement.

Left atrial enlargement.

Biatrial enlargement.

Interatrial block.

8 Ventricular Enlargement.

Right ventricular enlargement.

Electrocardiographic signs of right acute overload.

Left ventricular enlargement.

Biventricular enlargement.

9 Ventricular Blocks.

Complete right bundle-branch block (RBBB).

Partial right bundle branch block.

Complete left bundle-branch block (LBBB).

Partial left bundle-branch block.

Zonal (divisional) left ventricular block.

Bifascicular blocks.

Trifascicular blocks.

10 Ventricular Preexcitation.

WPW type preexcitation.

Short PR -type preexcitation.

11 Electrocardiographic Pattern of Ischaemia, Injury and Necrosis.

Anatomic introduction.

Electrophysiological introduction.

Electrocardiographic pattern of ischaemia.

Electrocardiographic pattern of injury.

Electrocardiographic pattern of necrosis.

12 Miscellaneous.

Value of ECG in special conditions.

ECG pattern of poor prognosis.

ECG of Electrical alternans.

Self-assessment.

References.

Index