Electrocardiogram and Atrial Fibrillation Miniatlas

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a simple method used to analyze the electrical activity of the heart. It is clinically useful because it is immediately available, non-invasive and inexpensive. The analysis of this graphic record can provide valuable information on heart function and lead to the diagnosis of specific cardiovascular disorders; e.g. it can be used to detect heart rate or cardiac conduction disorders, myocardial ischemia and other heart diseases. Also, it may reveal other findings such as metabolic changes which on occasion can be life-threatening such as hyperpotassemia.Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia. Its frequency of presentation increases with age. It is a common reason for hospitalization as a cause of decompensation of heart failure or a thromboembolic event.This atlas describes, in the first place, the particular characteristics of a normal ECG, and secondly, the main features observed on this record in the presence of disease, e.g. cardiac conduction disorders, arrhythmia, including atrial fibrillation, cardiac hypertrophy, coronary artery disease, and electrolytic disorders.


Table of contents:

The normal and the pathological electrocardiogram
Electrocardiographic leads
Characteristics of a normal ECG
Conduction disorders
Atrioventricular (AV) block
Bundle branch block
Hemiblock
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
Arrhythmias
Sinus arrhythmias
Supraventricular tachyarrhythmias
Ventricular arrhythmias
Extrasystole
Other disorders
Ventricular hypertrophy
Coronary artery disease
Electrolytic disorders

Atrial fibrillation
Definition of atrial fibrillation
Causes of AF
Bases for AF diagnosis
Clinical classification of AF
Electrocardiogram and ventricular response in AF

References