ECG diagnosis

Evolution of changes in M.I. Classical Appearences Aims 10 ECG rules ECG signs of M.I. Evolution of changes in M.I. Classical Appearences

QRS waveform nomenclature QS Qr Rs rS qs rSr’ rSR’ QRS waveform nomenclature The ECG consists of a small deflection called the P wave, arising from the atria, a more complicated deflection called the QRS complex due to ventricular depolarisation and a final T wave resulting from repolarisation of the ventricles. The QRS complex of waves is the largest deflection of the ECG and is always spiky in shape. All sharp deflections resulting from electrical activation of the ventricles are called QRS complexes. However, these waves can vary immensely in size, and arrangement. The QRS complex is very important when diagnosing myocardial infarction. In order to be able to describe these complexes, a nomenclature for the waves is needed. This can be done using combinations of the letters q, r, s, Q, R, S, lower case letters denoting small waves and upper case larger waves. The first positive wave is labelled with r or R Any second positive wave is labelled r´ or R´ A negative wave which follows an R wave or r wave is labelled S or s A negative wave that precedes an R or r wave, is labelled a q or Q wave Any wave that is entirely negative is labelled qs or QS. Using these rules and nomenclature all QRS complexes can be described, enabling more accurate diagnosis.

The 10 rules for a normal ECG I II III aVR aVL aVF V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 The 10 rules for a normal ECG For an ECG to be determined as normal, Chamberlain has described 10 rules which must be met.1 The next ten slides will outline these rules. .2 Chamberlain DAC. Personal communications.

Rule 1 1.0 R PR interval 0.5 PR interval should be 120 to 200 milliseconds or 3 to 5 little squares T P Millivolts Q Rule 1 As described in Module 3, the PR interval is the time from initiation of depolarisation of the atria to initiation of the depolarisation of the ventricles. The PR interval should be 120 to 200 milliseconds, or 3 to 5 little squares. A longer PR may imply a block in conduction and a shorter interval indicates a vulnerability to arrhythmias. S -0.5 200 400 600 Milliseconds

Rule 2 1.0 P R T Q S The width of the QRS complex should not exceed 110 ms, less than 3 little squares 0.5 Millivolts Rule 2 The QRS complex is due to depolarisation of the ventricles. The width of the QRS complex should not exceed 110 ms (less than 3 little squares). A wider QRS is sometimes seen in healthy people, but may represent an abnormality of intraventricular conduction. -0.5 QRS 200 400 600 Milliseconds

Rule 3 The QRS complex should be dominantly upright in leads I and II I II III aVR aVL aVF The QRS complex should be dominantly upright in leads I and II Rule 3 The QRS complex should be dominantly upright in leads I and II. Slight disparities are likely to be acceptable.

Rule 4 I II III aVR aVL aVF QRS and T waves tend to have the same general direction in the limb leads Rule 4 The QRS and T waves tend to have the same direction in the standard leads.

All waves are negative in lead aVR Rule 5 All waves are negative in lead aVR P Q T S Rule 5 All waves are negative in lead aVR. This has to be so: aVR represents electrical activity as “seen” from the right shoulder. The sinus node is placed top right in the heart nearest the right shoulder, and the electrical activity is moving downwards and leftwards towards the left ventricle.

The R wave in the precordial leads must grow from V1 to at least V4 Rule 6 V6 V5 V4 V3 V2 V1 Rule 6 The normality of QRS complexes recorded from the precordial leads is dependent on both morphological and dimensional criteria. The R wave in the precordial leads must grow from V1 to at least V4

Rule 7 I II III aVR aVL aVF V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 Rule 7 The ST segment should start isoelectric except in V1 and V2 where it may be elevated. The ST segment should start isoelectric except in V1 and V2 where it may be elevated

The P waves should be upright in I, II, and V2 to V6 Rule 8 I II III aVR aVL aVF V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 Rule 8 In leads I, II, and V2 to V6 the P waves should be upright. The P waves should be upright in I, II, and V2 to V6

Rule 9 I II III aVR aVL aVF V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 Rule 9 There should be no Q wave or only a small q less than 0.04 seconds in width in I, II, V2 to V6. There should be no Q wave or only a small q less than 0.04 seconds in width in I, II, V2 to V6

The T wave must be upright in I, II, V2 to V6 Rule 10 I II III aVR aVL aVF V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 Rule 10 In leads I, II, and V2 to V6 the T wave must be upright. The T wave must be upright in I, II, V2 to V6

Characteristic changes in AMI ST segment elevation over area of damage ST depression in leads opposite infarction Pathological Q waves Reduced R waves Inverted T waves Characteristic changes in AMI The 12-lead ECG is the most useful investigation for confirming the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction, locating the site of the infarct and monitoring the progress. It is therefore very important to know the changes that occur in this situation. The only diagnostic evidence of a completed myocardial infarction seen on the ECG are those in the QRS complexes. In the early stages changes are also seen in the ST segment and the T wave, and these can be used to assist diagnosis of myocardial infarctions. Shortly after infarction there is an elevation of the ST segment seen over the area of damage, and opposite changes are seen in the opposite leads. Several hours later pathological Q waves begin to form, and tend to persist. Later the R wave becomes reduced in size, or completely lost. Later still, the ST segment returns to normal, and at this point the T wave also decreases, eventually becoming deeply and symmetrically inverted. Although these changes occur sequentially, it is very unlikely they will all be clearly observed by the paramedic or GP. A patient can present at any stage and a progression through the ECG changes will not be seen. It is important to recognise these features as they occur rather than in association with each other. All these changes imply myocardial infarction, and will be discussed in more detail over the next few slides.

ST elevation Occurs in the early stages Occurs in the leads facing the infarction Slight ST elevation may be normal in V1 or V2 R P Q ST ST elevation ST segment elevation usually occurs in the early stages of infarction, and may exhibit quite a dramatic change. ST elevation is often upward and concave, although it can appear convex or horizontal. These changes occur in leads facing the infarction. ST elevation is not unique to MIs and therefore is not confirming evidence. Basic requirements of ST changes for diagnosis are: elevation of at least 1 mm in two or more adjoining leads for inferior infarctions (II, III, and aVF), and at least 2 mm in two or more precordial leads for anterior infarction. You should be aware that ST elevation can be seen in leads V1 and V2 normally. However, if there is also elevation in V3 the cause is unlikely to be physiological.

Deep Q wave Only diagnostic change of myocardial infarction At least 0.04 seconds in duration Depth of more than 25% of ensuing R wave R P Q T ST Deep Q wave The only diagnostic changes of acute myocardial infarction are changes in the QRS complexes and the development of abnormal Q waves. However, this may be a late change and so is not useful for the diagnosis of AMI in the pre-hospital situation. Remember that Q waves of more than 0.04 seconds , or 1 little square, are not generally seen in leads I, II or the precordial leads.

T wave changes Late change Occurs as ST elevation is returning to normal Apparent in many leads R P Q T ST T wave inversion The T wave is the most unstable feature of the ECG tracing and changes occur very frequently under normal circumstances, limiting their diagnostic value. Subtle changes in T waves are often the earliest signs of myocardial infarction. However, their value is limited for the reason above, but for approximately 20 to 30% of patients presenting with MI, a T wave abnormality is the only ECG sign. The T wave can be lengthened or heightened by coronary insufficiency. T wave inversion is a late change in the ECG and tends to appear as the ST elevation is returning to normal. As the ST segment returns towards the isoelectric line, the T wave also decreases in amplitude and eventually inverts.

Bundle branch block Anterior wall MI Left bundle branch block I II III aVR aVL aVF V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 I II III aVR aVL aVF V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 Bundle branch block Bundle branch block is the pattern produced when either the right bundle or the entire left bundle fails to conduct an impulse normally. The ventricle on the side of the failed bundle branch must be depolarised by the spread of a wave of depolarisation through ventricular muscle from the unaffected side. This is obviously a much slower process and usually the QRS duration is prolonged to at least 0.12 seconds (for right bundle branch block) and 0.14 seconds (for left bundle branch block). The ECG pattern of left bundle branch block (LBBB) resembles that of anterior infarction, but the distinction can readily be made in nearly all cases. Most importantly, in LBBB the QRS is widened to 140 ms or more. With rare exceptions there is a small narrow r wave (less than 0.04 seconds) in V1 to V3 which is not usually seen in anteroseptal infarction. There is also notching of the QRS best seen in the anterolateral leads, and the T wave goes in the opposite direction to the QRS in all the precordial leads. This combination of features is diagnostic. In the rare cases where there may be doubt assume the correct interpretation is LBBB. This will make up no difference to the administration of a thrombolytic on medical direction but for the present will be accepted as a contraindication for paramedics acting autonomously (see later slide). Right bundle branch block is characterised by QRS of 0.12 seconds or wider, an s wave in lead I, and a secondary R wave (R’) in V1. As abnormal Q waves do not occur with right bundle branch block, this remains a useful sign of infarction.

Sequence of changes in evolving AMI R R R ST T ST P P P T Q S Q Q 1 minute after onset 1 hour or so after onset A few hours after onset R Sequence of changes in evolving AMI The ECG changes that occur due to myocardial infarction do not all occur at the same time. There is a progression of changes correlating to the progression of infarction. Within minutes of the clinical onset of infarction, there are no changes in the QRS complexes and therefore no definitive evidence of infarction. However, there is ST elevation providing evidence of myocardial damage. The next stage is the development of a new pathological Q wave and loss of the r wave. These changes occur at variable times and so can occur within minutes or can be delayed. Development of a pathological Q wave is the only proof of infarction. As the Q wave forms the ST elevation is reduced and after 1 week the ST changes tend to revert to normal, but the reduction in R wave voltage and the abnormal Q waves usually persist. The late change is the inversion of the T wave and in a non-Q wave myocardial infarct, when there is no pathological Q wave, this T wave change may be the only sign of infarction. Months after an MI the T waves may gradually revert to normal, but the abnormal Q waves and reduced voltage R waves persist. In terms of diagnosing AMI in time to make thrombolysis a life-saving possibility, the main change to look for on the ECG is ST segment elevation. ST P P ST T P T T Q Q Q A day or so after onset Later changes A few months after AMI

Anterior infarction Anterior infarction I II III aVR aVL aVF V1 V2 V3 Location of infarction and its relation to the ECG: anterior infarction As was discussed in the previous module, the different leads look at different aspects of the heart, and so infarctions can be located by noting the changes that occur in different leads. The precordial leads (V1–6) each lie over part of the ventricular myocardium and can therefore give detailed information about this local area. aVL, I, V5 and V6 all reflect the anterolateral part of the heart and will therefore often show similar appearances to each other. II, aVF and III record the inferior part of the heart, and so will also show similar appearances to each other. Using these we can define where the changes will be seen for infarctions in different locations. Anterior infarctions usually occur due to occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery resulting in infarction of the anterior wall of the left ventricle and the intraventricular septum. It may result in pump failure due to loss of myocardium, ventricular septal defect, aneurysm or rupture and arrhythmias. ST elevation in I, aVL, and V2–6, with ST depression in II, III and aVF are indicative of an anterior (front) infarction. Extensive anterior infarctions show changes in V1–6 , I, and aVL. Left coronary artery

Inferior infarction Inferior infarction I II III aVR aVL aVF V1 V2 V3 Location of infarction and its relation to the ECG: inferior infarction ST elevation in leads II, III and aVF, and often ST depression in I, aVL, and precordial leads are signs of an inferior (lower) infarction. Inferior infarctions may occur due to occlusion of the right circumflex coronary arteries resulting in infarction of the inferior surface of the left ventricle, although damage can be made to the right ventricle and interventricular septum. This type of infarction often results in bradycardia due to damage to the atrioventricular node. Right coronary artery

Lateral infarction Lateral infarction I II III aVR aVL aVF V1 V2 V3 Location of infarction and its relation to the ECG: lateral infarction Occlusion of the left circumflex artery may cause lateral infarctions. Lateral infarctions are diagnosed by ST elevation in leads I and aVL. Left circumflex coronary artery

Location of infarct combinations aVR V1 V4 ANT POST LATERAL ANT SEPTAL II aVL V2 V5 Location of infarction: combinations The previous slides discussed the changes that occur in typical anterior, inferior and lateral infarctions. However, the area infarcted is not always limited to these areas and infarctions can extend across two regions. For example, an anterior infarction which is also on the lateral side of the heart is known as an anterolateral infarction. ST segment elevation in leads I and aVL represent a lateral infarction Anteroseptal infarctions show ST segment elevation in leads V1 to V4. ST elevation in V4 to V6 is typical of an anterolateral infarction ST elevation in II, III and aVF is typical of inferior infarction. ANT LAT V3 V6 III aVF INFERIOR

Diagnostic criteria for AMI Q wave duration of more than 0.04 seconds Q wave depth of more than 25% of ensuing r wave ST elevation in leads facing infarct (or depression in opposite leads) Deep T wave inversion overlying and adjacent to infarct Cardiac arrhythmias Diagnostic criteria for AMI Myocardial infarction is the loss of viable, electrically active myocardium. Diagnosis can therefore be made from the ECG. However, only changes in QRS complexes can provide a definite diagnosis. Changes in each of the leads must be noted, along with symptoms, as both are important in making a diagnosis. Excluding leads aVR and III, Q wave duration of more than 0.04 seconds or depth of more than 25% of the ensuing r wave are proof of infarction. Other criteria are the development of QS waves and local area low voltage r waves. Although these are useful diagnostic features, there are additional features that are associated with myocardial infarction as have been described in the previous slides. These include ST elevation in the leads facing the infarct, ST depression (reciprocal) in the opposite leads to the infarct, deep T wave inversion overlying and adjacent to the infarct, abnormally tall T waves facing the infarct, and cardiac arrhythmias. These extra features may aid in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction from an ECG.