Criteria for evaluating rSr' patterns due to high precordial ECG lead placement accurately confirm absence of a
David C Peritz1, Eugene H Chung2
1Department of Medicine/Pediatrics, 260 MacNider Building, CB# 7220 UNC School of Medicine Chapel Hill, NC.
Background:
An rSr' pattern in leads V1-V2 can be observed when ECG leads are placed in the 2nd intercostal space. Recently, three criteria analyzing the ST segment and r' width to identify true Brugada pattern ECGs have been described.
Objectives:
To assess the feasibility and reliability of using high precordial lead ECGs in conjunction with three new criteria for identifying true Brugada pattern ECGs.
Methods:
ECGs of 491 college athletes and 181 non-athletes were performed with standard and high-lead ECGs. ECGs were then analyzed using the newly proposed criteria.
Results:
Zero patients had a Brugada type 1 or 2 pattern at baseline; 76 patients demonstrated an rSr' pattern in leads V1-V2 on the high-lead ECG. Two of the 76 (3%) met criteria suggesting a true Brugada ECG.
Conclusion:
New ECG criteria based on the r' wave accurately identify rSr' patterns in V1-V2 from potential Brugada type 2 patterns in patients with purposely placed high precordial leads.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Dysrhythmias IV: Characteristics of Bradyarrhythmias
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...
Disturbances in Heart Rhythm
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias I: Sinus Arrhythmias
Types of Arrhythmias
Sinus Node Arrhythmias
Sinus Bradycardia: Originating from the sinoatrial (SA) node, sinus bradycardia involves slower impulses, resulting in a heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute (bpm). Causes include sleep, vagal stimulation, beta-blockers, hypothyroidism,...
Correlation between ECG and Cardiac Cycle
A cardiac action potential originates in the SA node and spreads throughout the atria and the AV node in approximately 0.03 seconds. This results in the P wave in an ECG and triggers atrial contraction. The action potential is then briefly slowed at the AV node, allowing the atria to contract and fill the ventricles with blood before...


