BIO1414HumanAnatomyPhysiologyII.pptVIP

* On the ECG, the PQ interval * is the time required for the wave of depolarization to spread through the conduction system from the beginning of atrial excitation to the beginning of ventricular depolarization. * Note that the PQ interval normally takes approximately 0.2 seconds in a resting heart. * The QT interval * represents the period from the beginning of ventricular depolarization through ventricular repolarization. Since the ventricles are so much larger than the atria, this normally takes approximately 0.4 seconds in a resting heart. * Another 0.2 seconds typically occurs before the next T wave. Since this cycle requires approximately 0.8 seconds to complete, 60 seconds divided by 0.8 gives us a resting heart rate * of approximately 75 beats/ minute. A PQ interval longer than 0.2 seconds is indicative of a 1st degree heart block, * meaning that something is delaying the spread of the wave of depolarization through the conduction system. * * Since you may be required to indicate conditions which may alter ECG waves, lets consider several of these. * An enlarged QRS * * is indicative of hypertrophy (enlargement) of the ventricles. * * * * A prolonged QT interval * * is indicative of repolarization abnormalities * which increase susceptibility to various ventricular arrhythmias. * * You may recall from our previous study of electrolytes, * that an elevated T wave * is indicative of hyperkalemia, a condition which if not corrected may become life threatening. * * Likewise, a flat T wave * * is indicative of hypokalemia or ischemia. * * * Earlier we talked about a first degree heart block as anything that extends the P-Q interval. * In this normal ECG identify the P wave, * * the QRS wave * * and the T wave. * * Now compare the following ECG. * This illustrates a 2nd degree block, * where there is not a QRS following each P wave. * A 3rd degree heart block * is where there are no P waves at all. * * As there is no communication between the conduction sy