Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Electrocardiogram Fundamentals01:28

Electrocardiogram Fundamentals

1.9K
Introduction
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...
1.9K
ECG Interpretation of Rhythms01:24

ECG Interpretation of Rhythms

17.8K
An electrocardiogram (ECG)graphically represents the heart's electrical activity on ECG paper or a monitor.
Components of the Electrocardiogram
The primary components of a normal ECG waveform in Normal sinus rhythm(NSR) include the P wave, PR interval, QRS complex, ST segment, T wave, and occasionally a U wave.
ECG waveforms are divided by vertical and horizontal lines at standard intervals.
The horizontal axis measures time and rate, and the vertical axis measures amplitude or voltage....
17.8K
Correlation between ECG and Cardiac Cycle01:25

Correlation between ECG and Cardiac Cycle

14.5K
The electrical signals recorded on an electrocardiogram (ECG) occur before the mechanical processes of contraction and relaxation during the 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...
14.5K
Electrophysiology of Normal Cardiac Rhythm01:19

Electrophysiology of Normal Cardiac Rhythm

10.2K
The normal cardiac rhythm is a synchronized electrical activity that facilitates the regular and coordinated contraction of the heart muscle. This process is essential for efficient blood circulation throughout the body. The fundamental elements involved in establishing and maintaining this rhythm include the unique electrical properties of cardiac muscle cells, the sinoatrial (SA) node's pacemaker function, the specialized conducting system, and the ionic mechanisms underlying each phase...
10.2K
Electrocardiogram01:29

Electrocardiogram

7.5K
An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a critical diagnostic tool that records the electrical signals produced by the heart during each heartbeat. This recording is achieved through electrodes placed strategically on the arms, legs, and chest. The electrocardiograph amplifies these signals and produces 12 distinct tracings, offering a comprehensive understanding of the heart's electrical activity.
Three major waveforms are present in a typical ECG recording: the P wave, the QRS complex, and...
7.5K
Dysrhythmias III: Characteristics of Dysrhythmias01:29

Dysrhythmias III: Characteristics of Dysrhythmias

662
Dysrhythmias, also known as arrhythmias, are irregular heart rhythms that result from abnormal electrical activity in the heart, affecting its ability to circulate blood efficiently. Tachyarrhythmias, a subset of dysrhythmias, are characterized by abnormally fast heart rates exceeding 100 beats per minute. Here are some types of tachyarrhythmias with their distinct ECG features:Sinus Tachycardia:Sinus tachycardia presents a regular heart rhythm with an increased rate of 101-180 beats per...
662

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Patients With Aldolase B Deficiency Are Characterized by Increased Intrahepatic Triglyceride Content.

The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism·2019
Same author

Contribution of Liver Fat to Weight Loss-Induced Changes in Serum Hepatokines: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism·2019
Same author

Greater Blood Pressure Variability Is Associated With Lower Cognitive Performance.

Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979)·2019
Same author

Metformin use in type 2 diabetic patients is not associated with lower arterial stiffness: the Maastricht Study.

Journal of hypertension·2019
Same author

Impact of early events and lifestyle on the gut microbiota and metabolic phenotypes in young school-age children.

Microbiome·2019
Same author

Incidence of cardiovascular disease in familial combined hyperlipidemia: A 15-year follow-up study.

Atherosclerosis·2018
Same journal

Spatial proximity or vector orientation? Re-evaluating ECG interpretation in anterior myocardial infarction using cardiac magnetic resonance.

Journal of electrocardiology·2026
Same journal

Pacing spikes without visible QRS complexes: Failure to capture?

Journal of electrocardiology·2026
Same journal

Rethinking prediction of sudden cardiac arrest: The role of electrocardiography in forecasting low-incidence, high-consequence events.

Journal of electrocardiology·2026
Same journal

New subtle anterior Q-wave and LAD occlusion.

Journal of electrocardiology·2026
Same journal

Monday-to-Friday workweek trajectory of ventricular repolarization and heart rate variability in apparently stable adults: A repeated-measures study.

Journal of electrocardiology·2026
Same journal

What the electrocardiogram is being asked to detect in acute myocardial infarction: The case for the OMI/NOMI paradigm.

Journal of electrocardiology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 20, 2026

Quantification of Global Diastolic Function by Kinematic Modeling-based Analysis of Transmitral Flow via the Parametrized Diastolic Filling Formalism
11:04

Quantification of Global Diastolic Function by Kinematic Modeling-based Analysis of Transmitral Flow via the Parametrized Diastolic Filling Formalism

Published on: September 1, 2014

11.6K

P-wave complexity in normal subjects and computer models.

Mark Potse1, Theo A R Lankveld2, Stef Zeemering3

  • 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Journal of Electrocardiology
|May 28, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The P wave on an electrocardiogram (ECG) is more complex than previously thought. Averaging many heartbeats reveals intricate P wave shapes, challenging the smooth appearance in standard electrocardiology literature.

Keywords:
Computer modelsElectrocardiogramFilteringInteratrial blockP waveRecording techniques

More Related Videos

In Silico Clinical Trials for Cardiovascular Disease
09:09

In Silico Clinical Trials for Cardiovascular Disease

Published on: May 27, 2022

2.4K
Patient-specific Modeling of the Heart: Estimation of Ventricular Fiber Orientations
12:09

Patient-specific Modeling of the Heart: Estimation of Ventricular Fiber Orientations

Published on: January 8, 2013

14.1K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 20, 2026

Quantification of Global Diastolic Function by Kinematic Modeling-based Analysis of Transmitral Flow via the Parametrized Diastolic Filling Formalism
11:04

Quantification of Global Diastolic Function by Kinematic Modeling-based Analysis of Transmitral Flow via the Parametrized Diastolic Filling Formalism

Published on: September 1, 2014

11.6K
In Silico Clinical Trials for Cardiovascular Disease
09:09

In Silico Clinical Trials for Cardiovascular Disease

Published on: May 27, 2022

2.4K
Patient-specific Modeling of the Heart: Estimation of Ventricular Fiber Orientations
12:09

Patient-specific Modeling of the Heart: Estimation of Ventricular Fiber Orientations

Published on: January 8, 2013

14.1K

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Signal Processing

Background:

  • Electrocardiography (ECG) literature typically describes P waves as smooth.
  • Computer simulations and signal analysis suggest P waves possess greater complexity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically investigate P-wave complexity in healthy volunteers.
  • To utilize high-fidelity electrocardiographic techniques without filtering.

Main Methods:

  • Recorded 5-minute multichannel ECGs from 16 healthy volunteers.
  • Reduced noise and interference by averaging over 300 beats per recording.
  • Simulated normal P waves using a realistic human atria computer model.

Main Results:

  • Measured P waves exhibited an average of 4.1 reproducible peaks (range 1-10).
  • Simulated P waves showed comparable complexity.
  • P wave complexity correlated with structural discontinuities in the atrial model.

Conclusions:

  • The actual P wave shape is highly irregular.
  • Averaging numerous ECG beats is essential to observe the true P wave morphology.