Category: Electrocardiography

Electrocardiography (ECG) is a cornerstone in the diagnosis and assessment of cardiac structural abnormalities, including hypertrophy and atrial enlargement. Hypertrophy refers to an increase in myocardial mass due to pressure or volume overload, while atrial enlargement reflects chamber dilation often secondary to valvular or myocardial disease. Recognizing these changes on ECG is critical, as they…

The heart’s electrical conduction system ensures that atrial impulses efficiently propagate to the ventricles, leading to synchronized contraction and optimal cardiac output. Disruptions in this system, particularly within the bundle branches or fascicles, result in bundle branch blocks (BBBs) and fascicular blocks, which are detectable on an electrocardiogram (ECG). Understanding these conduction disturbances is crucial…

Myocardial ischemia and infarction are critical conditions affecting millions worldwide. Rapid recognition and management are essential to reduce morbidity and mortality. Electrocardiography (ECG) is one of the most important diagnostic tools in detecting myocardial ischemia, injury, and infarction. Understanding ECG patterns allows clinicians to quickly identify affected myocardial regions, the severity of ischemia, and potential…

Bradyarrhythmias are a group of cardiac rhythm disorders characterized by an abnormally slow heart rate, typically defined as fewer than 60 beats per minute (bpm) in adults. While bradycardia can occur as a normal physiological phenomenon—such as in athletes or during sleep—it may also signify underlying pathology, particularly when associated with symptoms like dizziness, syncope,…

Ventricular arrhythmias are a group of cardiac rhythm disorders originating from the ventricles, the lower chambers of the heart. These arrhythmias are clinically significant because they can lead to hemodynamic compromise, sudden cardiac death, and are often associated with underlying structural heart disease. Among ventricular arrhythmias, Ventricular Tachycardia (VT), Ventricular Fibrillation (VF), and Premature Ventricular…

Electrocardiography (ECG) is one of the most essential tools in modern cardiology, allowing clinicians to visualize the electrical activity of the heart in real-time. Understanding abnormal rhythms, especially atrial arrhythmias, is crucial for diagnosis, risk stratification, and management. Among the most common atrial arrhythmias are Atrial Fibrillation (AF), Atrial Flutter, and Supraventricular Tachycardias (SVTs). Each…

Introduction The electrocardiogram (ECG) is a cornerstone of cardiovascular evaluation, providing a non-invasive window into the electrical activity of the heart. However, interpreting ECGs requires more than identifying pathologies—it demands an understanding of normal variants that can mimic disease but are physiological in origin. Normal variants differ across age groups, physiological conditions, and lifestyle factors,…

Introduction Electrocardiography (ECG) is a cornerstone of cardiovascular diagnostics, providing insight into the electrical activity, conduction patterns, and structural orientation of the heart. One of the most fundamental aspects of ECG interpretation is axis determination, which refers to assessing the mean direction of ventricular depolarization in the frontal plane. Understanding the electrical axis allows clinicians…

Introduction Electrocardiography (ECG) is a non-invasive, rapid, and invaluable tool for evaluating heart rate and rhythm. It allows clinicians to visualize the heart’s electrical activity and identify normal sinus rhythm, arrhythmias, conduction abnormalities, and rate disorders. Accurate interpretation of ECG is critical in both acute and chronic cardiac care, guiding treatment decisions for conditions ranging…

Introduction The electrocardiogram (ECG) is an indispensable tool in modern medicine, providing a non-invasive window into the electrical activity of the heart. Despite its widespread use, many clinicians and students find ECG interpretation challenging due to the complexity of waveforms, intervals, and axis deviations. Mastering ECG reading is not about memorizing patterns alone—it requires a…