EKG Course

Lesson 1 • Mechanical vs. Electrical Cardiac Events

Distinguishes electrical signals from mechanical contraction and relaxation. Reinforces why EKG reflects electrical, not mechanical, activity.

Lesson 2 • Heart Chambers and Valves

Covers the four chambers, valve positions, and directional blood flow. Establishes anatomical context needed to understand electrical axis and waveform polarity.

Lesson 3 • Cardiac Action Potential Basics

Explains depolarization and repolarization phases at the cellular level. Connects ionic movements to the deflections seen on an EKG tracing.

Lesson 1 • Skin Preparation and Artifact Prevention

Teaches skin cleaning, hair removal, and electrode adhesion techniques. Reduces motion, muscle, and electrical interference artifacts in tracings.

Lesson 2 • Patient Communication During Acquisition

Addresses patient instructions, breathing control, and anxiety management during recording. Proper communication directly reduces voluntary motion artifact.

Lesson 3 • EKG Machine Components and Settings

Identifies machine hardware, paper speed, and gain settings. Proper calibration ensures standardized tracings for accurate interpretation.

Lesson 4 • Precordial Lead Electrode Placement

Details V1 through V6 anatomical landmarks and electrode positioning. Precordial accuracy is critical for detecting anterior and lateral pathology.

Lesson 1 • PR Interval and QRS Complex

Covers normal PR interval duration and QRS morphology across all 12 leads. These measurements form the core of conduction system assessment.

Lesson 2 • ST Segment and T Wave Analysis

Defines isoelectric ST segment position and normal T wave polarity. Provides the reference standard for ischemia and repolarization abnormality detection.

Lesson 3 • EKG Grid and Measurement Units

Explains the time and voltage scales of standard EKG graph paper. Accurate grid reading is prerequisite to all interval and amplitude measurements.

Lesson 4 • Systematic 12-Lead Interpretation Approach

Introduces a stepwise method for reviewing all 12 leads in sequence. A consistent approach prevents missed findings and supports clinical decision-making.

Lesson 1 • Sinus Node Rhythm Variations

Covers sinus bradycardia, tachycardia, arrhythmia, and arrest. Each variant is defined by deviation from one or more normal sinus criteria.

Lesson 2 • Heart Rate Calculation Methods

Teaches the 300-box, 1500-box, and 6-second strip methods for rate calculation. Multiple methods ensure accuracy across regular and irregular rhythms.

Lesson 3 • Normal Sinus Rhythm Criteria

Defines all criteria required to classify a rhythm as normal sinus. Serves as the reference standard against which all dysrhythmias are compared.

Lesson 1 • Premature Atrial Complexes

Defines PAC morphology, compensatory pause patterns, and common triggers. PACs are the simplest supraventricular ectopic beat and a gateway to complex atrial rhythms.

Lesson 2 • Atrial Fibrillation and Flutter

Covers the hallmark EKG features of atrial fibrillation and flutter with variable conduction ratios. These are the most clinically prevalent supraventricular dysrhythmias.

Lesson 3 • Supraventricular Tachycardia Patterns

Identifies AVNRT, AVRT, and atrial tachycardia by P wave relationship to QRS. Distinguishing SVT subtypes guides appropriate clinical management.

Lesson 4 • Junctional Rhythms

Describes junctional escape, accelerated junctional, and junctional tachycardia. Retrograde P wave position relative to QRS is the key differentiating feature.

Lesson 1 • Fascicular Blocks and Hemiblocks

Identifies left anterior and left posterior fascicular blocks by axis deviation. Fascicular blocks often coexist with bundle branch blocks, increasing clinical complexity.

Lesson 2 • Premature Ventricular Complexes

Defines PVC morphology, coupling intervals, and patterns such as bigeminy and trigeminy. PVCs are the most common ventricular ectopic finding in clinical practice.

Lesson 3 • Atrioventricular Heart Blocks

Differentiates first-degree, Mobitz I, Mobitz II, and complete heart block. Degree of block determines urgency of clinical intervention.

Lesson 4 • Ventricular Tachycardia and Fibrillation

Covers monomorphic VT, polymorphic VT, torsades de pointes, and VF. These rhythms are immediately life-threatening and demand rapid recognition.

Lesson 1 • Coronary Territory Localization

Maps EKG lead groupings to LAD, RCA, and circumflex coronary territories. Accurate localization guides reperfusion strategy and anticipates complications.

Lesson 2 • STEMI Equivalents and Posterior Infarction

Identifies de Winter pattern, Wellens syndrome, and posterior STEMI using reciprocal changes. These patterns require urgent action despite lacking classic ST elevation.

Lesson 3 • ST Elevation and Myocardial Injury

Covers STEMI criteria, morphology variants, and lead groupings for injury localization. ST elevation pattern and distribution identify the affected coronary territory.

Lesson 4 • Pathological Q Waves and Infarction

Defines pathological Q wave criteria and their role in confirming completed infarction. Q wave location maps to specific myocardial territories and coronary arteries.

Lesson 1 • Drug and Electrolyte Effects on EKG

Identifies EKG changes caused by hyperkalemia, hypokalemia, hypercalcemia, and common cardiac drugs. Electrolyte and drug effects can mimic or mask primary cardiac pathology.

Lesson 2 • Electrical Axis Determination

Calculates frontal plane axis using leads I and aVF and the isoelectric lead method. Axis deviation narrows differential diagnoses for hypertrophy, blocks, and infarction.

Lesson 3 • Multi-Pathology Tracing Interpretation

Practices interpreting tracings with simultaneous rhythm, conduction, and ischemic abnormalities. Integrating multiple findings into a coherent clinical impression is the hallmark of expert interpretation.

Lesson 4 • Non-Cardiac Conditions on EKG

Covers EKG findings in pulmonary embolism, pericarditis, hypothermia, and cardiomyopathy. Recognizing non-ischemic patterns prevents misdiagnosis and guides appropriate workup.