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Chapter 9 - Recognition and Interpretation of the Electrocardiogram

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 August 2022

By
Kully Sandhu
Edited by
Daniel Rodger ,
Kevin Henshaw ,
Paul Rawling  and
Scott Miller
Daniel Rodger
Affiliation:
Senior Lecturer in Perioperative Practice, London South Bank University
Kevin Henshaw
Affiliation:
Associate Head of Allied Health Professions, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk
Paul Rawling
Affiliation:
Senior Lecturer in Perioperative Practice, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk
Scott Miller
Affiliation:
Consultant Anaesthetist, St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals NHS Trust
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Summary

The ECG is a non-invasive representation of the activity of the cardiac electrical conducting system. ECGs are widely available in all hospitals and therefore interpretation is of great importance. ECGs allow assessment of cardiac rate, recognition of conduction blocks, myocardial ischaemia, life-threatening arrhythmias, and the effects of drugs. Therefore ECGs provide a wealth of information allowing safe and appropriate treatment strategies for patients. This chapter summarises the most salient features of common arrhythmias seen in clinical practice.

Keywords

ECGHeartArrhythmiasCardiac arrestCardiacMonitoringDefibrillatorFibrillationTachycardiaBradycardia
Type
Chapter
Information
Fundamentals of Operating Department Practice , pp. 89 - 99
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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References

Klein, A. A., Meek, T., Allcock, E., et al. Recommendations for standards of monitoring during anaesthesia and recovery 2021. Anaesthesia 2021; DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/anae.15501.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Resuscitation Council UK. Advanced Life Support, 8th ed. London: Resuscitation Council UK, 2021.Google Scholar
Adderley, N. J., Ryan, R., Nirantharakumar, K., et al. Prevalence and treatment of atrial fibrillation in UK general practice from 2000 to 2016. Heart 2019; 105: 27–33.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Atrial fibrillation: how common is it? Available from: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/atrial-fibrillation/background-information/prevalence/#:~:text=Complications%20and%20prognosis-,How%20common%20is%20it%3F,to%20be%20undiagnosed%20and%20untreated.Google Scholar
Piccini, J. P. and Fauchier, L.. Rhythm control in atrial fibrillation. Lancet 2016; 388: 829–840.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed

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