![]() ![]() When spontaneous depolarization reaches the threshold voltage, it triggers a rapid depolarization followed by repolarization. The specialized function associated with the pacemaker cells is their spontaneous depolarization with no true resting potential. The AV node gets suppressed by the more rapid pace of the SA node. Pacemaker cells are located primarily in the SA and AV node, and it is the SA node that drives the rate and rhythm of the heart. It is comprised of two types of cells, pacemaker and non-pacemaker cells. This mechanical work of pumping blood to the whole body occurs in a synchronized manner and is under the control of the cardiac conduction system. These muscle fibers contain a single central nucleus, numerous mitochondria, and myoglobin molecules.Įxtensive branching of the cardiac muscle fibers and their end-to-end connection with each other through intercalated discs make them contract in a wave-like fashion. The heart is made up of specialized cardiac muscle, which is striated and organized into sarcomeres. It is essential to possess a strong understanding of the physiology of the cardiac cells as this will help the reader appreciate how the heart works and the implications of findings on the ECG. The heart is a mechanical pump whose activity is governed by the electrical conduction system. Written below are the following regions supplied by the different coronary arteries. ![]() ![]() This anatomic distribution is significant because a 12-lead ECG assesses these cardiac regions to help localize and diagnose ischemic or infarcted areas. With considerable heterogeneity among the general population, different regions of the heart receive vascular supply from the various branches of the coronary arteries. The right and left coronary arteries lie on the surface of the heart. The heart derives its blood supply from the coronary arteries that branch off the aorta. The oxygenated blood from the lungs pours into the left atrium through the right and left pulmonary veins, and from here, it is pumped by the left ventricle into the aorta to the rest of the body. From here, it transits through the right ventricle and then passes into the lungs via the right and left pulmonary arteries, where it is oxygenated. The heart receives deoxygenated blood from the whole body via superior and inferior vena cava, which first enters the right atrium. A wall of muscle called the septum separates all four chambers. The heart is a muscular organ comprised of four chambers with two atria (right and left) opening into right and left ventricles via tricuspid and mitral valves, respectively. Together with the blood vessels and blood, it constitutes the body's circulatory system. The heart is a vital body organ and occupies space in the central chest between the lungs. ![]() This activity seeks to provide a general understanding of the ECG mechanisms, interpretation techniques, and commonly encountered ECG findings.Ī basic understanding of cardiac anatomy and coronary distribution is essential to understanding electrocardiographic findings. Errors in the analysis can lead to misdiagnosis, delaying the appropriate treatment. Many healthcare providers find the advanced interpretation of ECG findings a complicated task. Ĭardiovascular disease, as the number one cause of death, puts a great emphasis on healthcare providers developing skills and knowledge in interpreting ECGs to provide the best care promptly. Also, ECG serves as a research tool for surveillance and experimental trials of drugs with recognized cardiac effects. ECG is increasingly being used for monitoring patients on antiarrhythmics and other drugs, as an integral part of preoperative assessment of patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery, and for screening individuals in high-risk occupations and those participating in sports. ĮCG is a non-invasive diagnostic modality that has a substantial clinical impact on investigating the severity of cardiovascular diseases. ECG was soon recognized as a robust screening and clinical diagnostic tool, and today it is used globally in almost every healthcare setting. William Einthoven was named the "father of electrocardiography" and was awarded Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1924 for his hard work that laid the foundation of the most fundamental technique for investigating heart disorders. Many arrhythmias and ECG changes associated with angina and atherosclerosis were identified by 1910. In 1902, the Dutch physician Einthovan invented ECG, and his tremendous input in clinical studies for about ten years led to full recognition of the clinical potential of the technique. The word ECG derives from the German language. The electrocardiogram (abbreviated as ECG or EKG) represents an electrical tracing of the heart and is recorded non-invasively from the surface of the body. ![]()
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