Basic Arrhythmia Course

Lesson 1 • Refractory Periods and Impulse Safety

Defines absolute and relative refractory periods and their protective roles. Explains how refractory periods prevent continuous re-excitation.

Lesson 2 • Cardiac Cycle and Mechanical Correlation

Links electrical events to mechanical systole and diastole. Reinforces why timing of depolarization directly affects cardiac output.

Lesson 3 • Normal Conduction System Anatomy

Maps the sinoatrial node, AV node, bundle of His, and Purkinje fibers. Connects anatomical structure to the sequence of electrical activation.

Lesson 1 • Systematic ECG Interpretation Method

Introduces a stepwise approach: rate, rhythm, axis, intervals, morphology. Consistent methodology reduces interpretation errors in practice.

Lesson 2 • ECG Paper and Measurement Basics

Explains grid squares, time and voltage scales, and paper speed. Establishes the measurement framework used throughout all rhythm analysis.

Lesson 3 • Normal ECG Waveform Identification

Identifies P wave, QRS complex, T wave, and U wave with normal parameters. Provides the baseline against which all abnormalities are compared.

Lesson 1 • Autonomic Influences on Sinus Node

Explains how vagal and sympathetic inputs modulate sinus rate and rhythm. Prepares students to interpret rate changes in clinical context.

Lesson 2 • Normal Sinus Rhythm Criteria

Establishes the five diagnostic criteria for normal sinus rhythm. Serves as the reference standard for all subsequent rhythm comparisons.

Lesson 3 • Sinus Tachycardia and Bradycardia

Differentiates rate-based sinus variants and their common physiologic causes. Connects rate changes to autonomic nervous system influence.

Lesson 1 • Atrial Flutter Recognition

Identifies sawtooth flutter waves, typical 2:1 to 4:1 conduction ratios, and atrial rate. Emphasizes the importance of identifying hidden flutter waves.

Lesson 2 • Atrial Tachycardia Mechanisms

Covers focal and multifocal atrial tachycardia, including rate and P wave criteria. Links mechanism to appropriate management strategy.

Lesson 3 • Wolff-Parkinson-White Pattern

Identifies delta waves, short PR, and wide QRS caused by accessory pathway conduction. Explains why WPW with AFib is a life-threatening combination.

Lesson 4 • Premature Atrial Complexes

Defines PAC morphology, compensatory versus non-compensatory pauses, and triggers. Introduces ectopic atrial activity as a precursor to sustained arrhythmias.

Lesson 1 • Junctional Escape Rhythms

Covers junctional escape beats and rhythms as safety mechanisms when sinus fails. Explains retrograde P wave positions relative to QRS.

Lesson 2 • AV Blocks: First and Second Degree

Differentiates first-degree, Mobitz I, and Mobitz II AV blocks by PR and QRS behavior. Establishes the clinical urgency difference between block types.

Lesson 3 • Third-Degree AV Block

Defines complete AV dissociation, escape rhythm origin, and hemodynamic impact. Identifies third-degree block as a pacemaker-indicated emergency.

Lesson 4 • Premature Junctional Complexes

Identifies PJC morphology, retrograde P waves, and compensatory pauses. Distinguishes PJCs from PACs and PVCs on the ECG strip.

Lesson 1 • Left Anterior and Posterior Hemiblocks

Covers left axis deviation in LAFB and right axis deviation in LPFB. Connects fascicular blocks to bifascicular and trifascicular block progression.

Lesson 2 • Left Bundle Branch Block

Identifies LBBB broad notched R in lateral leads and secondary ST-T changes. Highlights how LBBB obscures ischemia and requires modified interpretation.

Lesson 3 • Right Bundle Branch Block

Defines RBBB criteria including RSR prime in V1 and wide S in lateral leads. Explains delayed right ventricular activation and its clinical associations.

Lesson 1 • Ventricular Tachycardia Recognition

Defines monomorphic and polymorphic VT criteria, AV dissociation, and fusion beats. Distinguishes VT from SVT with aberrancy using key ECG clues.

Lesson 2 • Ventricular Fibrillation and Asystole

Describes chaotic VF waveform, coarse versus fine VF, and asystole confirmation. Establishes immediate defibrillation as the only effective VF treatment.

Lesson 3 • Torsades de Pointes

Identifies the twisting QRS axis pattern, prolonged QT, and precipitating causes. Links QT-prolonging drugs and electrolyte imbalances to torsades risk.

Lesson 4 • Accelerated Idioventricular Rhythm

Identifies AIVR rate, morphology, and common reperfusion context. Distinguishes AIVR from VT to avoid inappropriate treatment.

Lesson 1 • Antiarrhythmic Drug Classes Overview

Summarizes Vaughan Williams classes and their primary rhythm targets. Provides a framework for understanding drug selection without prescribing detail.

Lesson 2 • Vagal Maneuvers and Adenosine Use

Covers carotid sinus massage, Valsalva, and adenosine for SVT termination. Links mechanism of action to expected ECG response and contraindications.

Lesson 3 • Synchronized Cardioversion

Explains synchronization to R wave, energy selection, and indications for cardioversion. Distinguishes cardioversion from defibrillation in unstable tachycardias.

Lesson 4 • Cardiac Arrest Rhythm Recognition

Integrates VF, pulseless VT, PEA, and asystole into the resuscitation algorithm. Reinforces rhythm-guided decision-making during cardiac arrest response.

Lesson 5 • Pacemaker Rhythms and Pacing Concepts

Identifies pacemaker spikes, capture, sensing failure, and pacing modes. Prepares students to recognize normal and abnormal pacemaker function on ECG.