Description
Essential ECG is a hands-on, accessible guide to recording, interpreting, and reporting ECGs with confidence.
The book begins with a clear explanation of the heart’s normal conduction system, then walks readers through lead placement and anatomical perspectives. It breaks down every component of a normal ECG before introducing a straightforward, practical algorithm for interpreting ECGs in any clinical scenario.
- Covers all major ECG abnormalities – from prolonged intervals and electrolyte imbalances to pericardial disease and pulmonary embolism.
- Seamlessly blends ECG findings with relevant clinical context for better real-world application.
- Features an extensive library of real-life ECGs, all clearly annotated and consistently presented to highlight key abnormalities.
- Ends with a ‘test yourself’ section: 50 ECGs that are common, critical or potentially life-threatening, each paired with a concise interpretation and diagnostic insight.
Essential ECG is the go-to resource for medical students, residents, and allied health professionals looking to sharpen their ECG interpretation skills and apply them effectively in everyday clinical practice.
PART I: The essentials
Chapter 1 The ECG: the what, who, when, where and why
1.1 Overview
1.2 The what
1.3 The who
1.4 The when
1.5 The where
1.6 The why
Chapter 2 The normal conduction system of the heart
2.1 Overview
2.2 Thinking about the conduction system
Chapter 3 Recording an ECG
3.1 Overview
3.2 How to record an ECG
3.3 ECG leads and their anatomical views
3.4 ECG speed and voltage calibration
3.5 Additional considerations
Chapter 4 The normal ECG
4.1 Overview
4.2 The P wave
4.3 The Q wave
4.4 The R wave
4.5 The S wave
4.6 The QRS complex
4.7 The T wave
4.8 The PR interval
4.9 The QT interval
4.10 The J point
4.11 The ST segment
Chapter 5 How to read and report an ECG
5.1 Having a framework
5.2 The basics
5.3 Heart rate
5.4 Heart rhythm
5.5 Heart axis
5.6 Waves, complexes, intervals and segments
5.7 Bringing it all together
Chapter 6 Chamber dilatation and hypertrophy
6.1 Overview
6.2 Atrial dilatation
6.3 Ventricular hypertrophy
Chapter 7 Abnormal intervals (PR and QT intervals)
7.1 Overview
7.2 Prolonged QT interval
7.3 Short QT interval
7.4 Prolonged PR interval
7.5 Short PR interval
Chapter 8 Bradycardia and bradyarrhythmias
8.1 Overview
8.2 Sinus node disease
8.3 Atrioventricular node disease
Chapter 9 Narrow complex tachycardia
9.1 Overview
9.2 Sinus tachycardia
9.3 Atrial fibrillation
9.4 Atrial flutter
9.5 Atrial tachycardia
9.6 Supraventricular tachycardia
Chapter 10 Broad complex tachycardia
10.1 Overview
10.2 Ventricular tachycardia
10.3 Ventricular fibrillation
10.4 Supraventricular tachycardia with aberrancy
10.5 Ventricular paced rhythm
10.6 Artefact
10.7 Pre-excited atrial fibrillation
Chapter 11 Premature complexes
11.1 Overview
11.2 Premature atrial complexes
11.3 Premature ventricular complexes
Chapter 12 Intraventricular conduction delays
12.1 Overview
12.2 Right bundle branch block
12.3 Left bundle branch block
12.4 Bifascicular block
12.5 Non-specific interventricular conduction delay
12.6 Trifascicular block
Chapter 13 Acute coronary syndromes
13.1 Overview
13.2 ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
13.3 Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)
13.4 Unstable angina
13.5 STEMI equivalents
13.6 Left bundle branch block and ACS
13.7 Prior myocardial infarction
13.8 Other important things to look out for on ECG in ACS
Chapter 14 Pericardial disease
14.1 Pericarditis
14.2 Pericardial effusion
Chapter 15 Electrolyte disturbance and medication-induced abnormalities
15.1 Electrolyte disturbance
15.2 Potassium disturbance
15.3 Calcium disturbance
15.4 Medication-induced ECG changes
Chapter 16 Non-cardiac disease and the ECG
16.1 Pulmonary embolism
16.2 Major intracranial event
16.3 Motion artefact
Chapter 17 Implantable pacemakers and defibrillators
17.1 Overview
17.2 Pacemakers
17.3 Pacemaker malfunction
17.4 Defibrillators
Chapter 18 Lead reversal
18.1 Overview
18.2 Left arm and right arm lead reversal
18.3 Left arm and left leg lead reversal
18.4 Precordial lead misplacement
18.5 Steps to easily identify lead reversal/misplacement
18.6 Dextrocardia vs. lead reversal
Chapter 19 Rare but important ECGs
19.1 Overview
19.2 Brugada syndrome
19.3 Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
19.4 Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy
19.5 Athletic ECG
19.6 Dextrocardia
PART II: Test yourself
50 ECGs that are common,critical or potentially life-threatening, each paired with a concise interpretation and diagnostic insight.
Note that 20.31 to 20.50 are available on the publisher's website.
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