1. EEE 491 Biomedical Engineering Compiled by Dr. Khawza I Ahmed
Introduction to ECG
EEE 491 Biomedical Engineering
Compiled by Dr. Khawza I Ahmed

2. What is ECG?
The electrocardiogram (ECG) is a time-varying signal reflecting the ionic current flow which causes the cardiac fibers to contract and subsequently relax. The surface ECG is obtained by recording the potential difference between two electrodes placed on the surface of the skin. A single normal cycle of the ECG represents the successive atrial depolarisation/repolarisation and ventricular depolarisation/repolarisation which occurs with every heart beat.
Simply put, the ECG (EKG) is a device that measures and records the electrical activity of the heart from electrodes placed on the skin in specific locations

3. What the ECG is used for?
Screening test for coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies, left ventricular hypertrophy
Preoperatively to rule out coronary artery disease
Can provide information in the precence of metabolic alterations such has hyper/hypo calcemia/kalemia etc.
With known heart disease, monitor progression of the disease
Discovery of heart disease; infarction, coronal insufficiency as well as myocardial, valvular and cognitial heart disease
Evaluation of ryhthm disorders
All in all, it is the basic cardiologic test and is widely applied in patients with suspected or known heart disease

4. Measuring ECG
ECG commonly measured via 12 specifically placed leads

5. For more presentations www.medicalppt.blogspot.com
The 12-Leads
The 12-leads include:
3 Limb leads (I, II, III)
3 Augmented leads (aVR, aVL, aVF)
6 Precordial leads (V1- V6)
For more presentations

6. Typical ECG
A typical ECG period consists of P,Q,R,S,T and U waves

7. ECG Intervals / Segments
PR: sec
QRS: <0.10 sec
QT: sec (60 bpm)

8. ECG Waves
P wave: the sequential activation (depolarization) of the right and left atria
QRS comples: right and left ventricular depolarization
T wave: ventricular repolarization
U wave: origin not clear, probably ”afterdepolarizations” in the ventrices

9. ECG Example

10. ECG Signal Generation

11. Action Potential

12. Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)
Is a recording of electrical activity of heart conducted thru ions in body to surface
13-60

13. Cardiac Cellular Electrical Activity
Typical Equilibrium Potentials:
Na(+) ~+40mV
K(+) ~-90mV
C(++) ~+150mV

14. ECG recording

15. ECG recording

16. ECG recording

17. ECG recording

18. ECG recording

19. ECG 3 distinct waves are produced during cardiac cycle
P wave caused by atrial depolarization
QRS complex caused by ventricular depolarization
T wave results from ventricular repolarization
Fig 13.24
13-63

20. Elements of the ECG: P wave: Depolarization of both atria;
Relationship between P and QRS helps distinguish various cardiac arrhythmias
Shape and duration of P may indicate atrial enlargement
PR interval: from onset of P wave to onset of QRS
Normal duration = sec ( ms) (3-4 horizontal boxes)
Represents atria to ventricular conduction time (through His bundle)
Prolonged PR interval may indicate a 1st degree heart block
QRS complex: Ventricular depolarization
Larger than P wave because of greater muscle mass of ventricles
Normal duration = seconds
Its duration, amplitude, and morphology are useful in diagnosing cardiac arrhythmias, ventricular hypertrophy, MI, electrolyte derangement, etc.
Q wave greater than 1/3 the height of the R wave, greater than 0.04 sec are abnormal and may represent MI

21. ST segment:
Connects the QRS complex and T wave
Duration of sec ( msec
T wave:
Represents repolarization or recovery of ventricles
Interval from beginning of QRS to apex of T is referred to as the absolute refractory period
QT Interval
Measured from beginning of QRS to the end of the T wave
Normal QT is usually about 0.40 sec
QT interval varies based on heart rate

23. Fig b

24. Fig c

25. Fig d

26. Shape and duration of P may indicate atrial enlargement
Elements of the ECG:
P wave
Depolarization of both atria;
Relationship between P and QRS helps distinguish various cardiac arrhythmias
Shape and duration of P may indicate atrial enlargement

28. QRS complex:
Represents ventricular depolarization
Larger than P wave because of greater muscle mass of ventricles
Normal duration = seconds
Its duration, amplitude, and morphology are useful in diagnosing cardiac arrhythmias, ventricular hypertrophy, MI, electrolyte derangement, etc.
Q wave greater than 1/3 the height of the R wave, greater than 0.04 sec are abnormal and may represent MI

30. PR interval:
From onset of P wave to onset of QRS
Normal duration = sec ( ms) (3-4 horizontal boxes)
Represents atria to ventricular conduction time (through His bundle)
Prolonged PR interval may indicate a 1st degree heart block

31. Fig g

32. Represents repolarization or recovery of ventricles
T wave:
Represents repolarization or recovery of ventricles
Interval from beginning of QRS to apex of T is referred to as the absolute refractory period

33. Connects the QRS complex and T wave
ST segment:
Connects the QRS complex and T wave
Duration of sec ( msec
QT Interval
Measured from beginning of QRS to the end of the T wave
Normal QT is usually about 0.40 sec
QT interval varies based on heart rate

34. ECG recording

35. ECG recording

36. ECG recording

37. ECG recording

38. ECG recording

39. ECG recording

40. ECG recording