Bedside electrocardiographic monitoring: state of the art for the 1990s
1Department of Physiological Nursing, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0610.
Abstract:
Recent evidence indicates that misdiagnosis of cardiac arrhythmias is a common occurrence in critical care and telemetry units. The present article addresses the problem by reviewing electrocardiographic criteria for diagnosing the arrhythmias and ischemic conditions of major importance in the critically ill patient including wide QRS complex tachycardias, bundle branch blocks, and ST segment monitoring after thrombolytic therapy and balloon angioplasty. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of various monitoring leads are discussed with recommendations regarding the most ideal leads for detecting these arrhythmias of interest. Finally, practical suggestions are offered for improving the quality of bedside electrocardiographic monitoring.
Related Concept Videos
Pulse rhythm
Conversely, an irregular pulse pattern is termed dysrhythmia, stemming from disruptions in cardiac muscle...
Electrocardiogram
Three major waveforms are present in a typical ECG recording: the P wave, the QRS complex, and the T...
Cardiac Action Potential
The cardiac action potential process involves a series of phases characterized by the movement of ions across the cardiac cell membranes, leading to the depolarization and repolarization of the cardiac myocytes.
Ionic Basis of Cardiac Action Potentials
Electrocardiogram Fundamentals
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a diagnostic tool for identifying cardiac conditions such as arrhythmias, conduction abnormalities, and myocardial ischemia.
Definition
An electrocardiogram (ECG) visualizes the heart's electrical activity by tracing the electrical movement associated with each heartbeat on a graph or monitor. As the heart beats, an electrical wave passes through it, correlating with the cardiac cycle events.
Parts of an ECG
An ECG utilizes electrodes on the skin to...
Holter Monitor: 24-Hour Monitoring
Dysrhythmias V: Evaluating Dysrhythmias


