ECG Reference
Basics: waves, intervals, axes on ECG
47 terms — criteria, diagrams, and real ECG strips
Normal ECGA normal ECG is a recording of the heart's electrical activity where rhythm, waves, intervals, segments, and the electrical axis of the heart correspond to accepted age and gender...
Sinus rhythmNormal sinus rhythm is a rhythm with ECG signs of atrial activation typical of an impulse originating from the sinus node; final localization of the impulse source solely based on...
Step-by-step ECG interpretationStep-by-step ECG interpretation is a standard analytical procedure for reading an ECG strip, where each element is evaluated in a fixed sequence to avoid missing findings.
ECG leadsECG leads are a system for recording the heart's potential difference from specific body points, forming 12 projections of electrical activity.
ECG lead placementECG lead positioning is the standard method of placing electrodes on the limbs and chest to record 12 leads.
ECG calibration and paper speedECG calibration and paper speed are standard recording parameters used to convert the millimeter grid of the paper into units of time and voltage.
P waveThe P wave is the first positive or biphasic ECG wave that reflects the spread of excitation through the left and right atria.
Q waveThe Q wave is the first negative deflection of the QRS complex, preceding the R wave.
R waveThe R wave is the first positive wave of the QRS complex, reflecting the depolarization of the main ventricular myocardium.
S waveThe S wave is the negative deflection (below the isoelectric line) of the QRS complex following the R wave.
T waveThe T wave reflects ventricular repolarization on the ECG, following the QRS complex.
U waveThe U wave is a small, usually positive wave that immediately follows the T wave and precedes the next P wave.
QRS complexThe QRS complex is a group of ECG waves reflecting ventricular depolarization.
PQ (PR) intervalThe PQ (PR) interval is the time from the onset of the P wave to the onset of the QRS complex, reflecting impulse conduction through the atria and the atrioventricular system: from the start of depolarization...
PR segmentThe PR segment is the isoelectric section from the end of the P wave to the beginning of the QRS complex, corresponding to the late phase of atrial activity and completion of AV conduction.
QT intervalThe QT interval is the time from the beginning of the QRS complex to the end of the T wave, reflecting total electrical ventricular systole (depolarization and repolarization).
ST segmentThe ST segment is the isoelectric section between the end of the QRS complex (J point) and the beginning of the T wave.
J pointThe J point (junction point) is the point on the ECG where the QRS complex transitions into the ST segment.
TP segmentThe TP segment is the recording section from the end of the T wave to the beginning of the next P wave, predominantly an isoelectric interval following ventricular repolarization and preceding the onset of depolarization...
RR intervalThe RR interval is the horizontal distance on the ECG between the peaks (or corresponding points) of two consecutive QRS complexes.
Heart rate calculationHeart rate by ECG is the heart rate calculated from the duration of the RR interval or the number of QRS complexes over a given time.
Rhythm regularityRhythm regularity is the assessment of the constancy of RR intervals between consecutive cardiac cycles.
Electrical axis of the heartThe electrical axis of the heart (ECG axis) is the net direction of the ventricular depolarization electrical vector in the frontal plane during the QRS complex.
Normal electrical axis positionA normal electrical axis position (normogram) is the location of the mean ventricular depolarization vector between -30° and +90° in the frontal plane.
Vertical electrical axis positionA vertical electrical axis position is a variant of the normal orientation of the heart's electrical axis in the frontal plane, corresponding in domestic educational tradition to...
Horizontal electrical axis positionA horizontal position of the electrical axis of the heart (EAH) is a variant of normal orientation of the mean QRS vector in the frontal plane, where angle α ranges from...
Left axis deviationLeft axis deviation (LAD) is the shift of the mean electrical QRS axis to the left of −30°, typically down to −90°.
Right axis deviationRight axis deviation (RAD) is the shift of the mean electrical QRS axis in the frontal plane beyond +90°.
Indeterminate axis (northwest)Northwest axis deviation (extreme/northwest axis deviation) is an extreme variant of electrical axis deviation when it lies in the sector from -90° to ±180°.
Transition zoneThe transition zone is the chest lead (or interval between leads) where the R wave amplitude becomes approximately equal to the S wave amplitude (R/S ≈ 1), and...
Poor R wave progression in chest leadsPoor R wave progression (Eng.
Intrinsicoid deflectionIntrinsicoid deflection (R wave peak time) is the interval from the onset of the QRS complex to the peak of the R wave in a selected lead.
Low QRS voltageLow QRS voltage is a decrease in QRS complex amplitude below established threshold values in limb leads and/or chest leads.
High QRS voltageHigh QRS voltage is an increase in QRS complex amplitude above accepted voltage thresholds in one or more leads.
Nonspecific ST-T changesNonspecific ST-T changes are a descriptive conclusion regarding deviations of the ST segment and/or T wave that a physician cannot confidently attribute to...
Inverted T waveAn inverted T wave (T wave inversion) is a T wave with an amplitude below the isoelectric line, reflecting a change in the sequence of ventricular repolarization.
Flattened T waveA flat T wave is a T wave with an amplitude noticeably smaller than expected for the given lead, without distinct inversion below the isoelectric line.
Tall T waveA tall T wave is an increase in T wave amplitude beyond normal values for the given lead.
ST segment elevationST elevation is the displacement of the ST segment above the isoelectric line, measured at the J point.
ST segment depressionST segment depression is the displacement of the ST segment below the isoelectric line, usually determined by the TP segment (if poorly visible, by the PR segment, if unshifted).
Pathological Q waveA pathological Q wave is the initial negative deflection of the QRS complex reaching duration and/or depth thresholds established for a specific lead, reflecting...
Wide QRS complexA wide QRS complex is an elongation of the ventricular complex duration ≥0.12 s (120 ms), reflecting slowed or abnormal propagation of excitation through the ventricles.
Biphasic T waveA biphasic T wave is a T wave having two phases of opposite polarity within a single complex.
Notched QRSFragmented QRS (fQRS) is the presence of additional notches, splitting, or spikes within the QRS complex in two or more contiguous leads of a single coronary...
ECG isoelectric lineThe isoelectric line is the reference level corresponding to the absence of significant net potential in a given lead; wave amplitudes are measured from it and...
Normal ECG valuesNormal ECG values are the ranges of duration and amplitude of waves, intervals, and segments within which the electrical activity of a healthy adult's heart is considered...
Vectors and cardiac cycle on ECGThe cardiac vector is the net direction and magnitude of the electrical impulse propagating through the myocardium at each moment of the cardiac cycle.
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