ECG Interpretation Course

Lesson 1 • Cardiac Anatomy for ECG Interpretation

Review heart chambers, valves, and conduction pathways relevant to ECG. Establishes anatomical context for all subsequent electrical concepts.

Lesson 2 • Principles of Electrical Vectors

Introduces vector concepts to explain how electrical forces produce positive or negative deflections. Directly prepares students for lead axis interpretation.

Lesson 3 • Cellular Electrophysiology Basics

Explains resting membrane potential, depolarization, and repolarization at the cellular level. Provides the ionic foundation for understanding waveform generation.

Lesson 1 • Recognizing and Reducing Artifact

Identifies somatic tremor, AC interference, baseline wander, and poor contact artifacts. Teaches corrective techniques before interpretation begins.

Lesson 2 • ECG Machine Components and Settings

Covers amplifier gain, paper speed, and filter settings on standard ECG devices. Correct settings prevent distortion that mimics pathological findings.

Lesson 3 • Limb Lead Electrode Placement

Details correct placement of four limb electrodes and the six derived limb leads. Misplacement errors and their ECG consequences are addressed.

Lesson 1 • QT Interval and Corrected QT

Measures QT interval and applies rate-correction formulas to obtain QTc. Introduces clinical significance of QT prolongation for arrhythmia risk.

Lesson 2 • ST Segment and T Wave Norms

Defines isoelectric ST segment position and normal T wave polarity by lead. Establishes the baseline for ischemia and repolarization abnormality detection.

Lesson 3 • PR Interval and AV Conduction

Measures PR interval from P onset to QRS onset and defines normal range. Connects AV nodal conduction time to clinical PR prolongation or shortening.

Lesson 4 • QRS Complex Analysis

Teaches Q, R, and S wave nomenclature, duration, and amplitude criteria. Provides the measurement foundation for bundle branch blocks and hypertrophy.

Lesson 1 • Calculating the Mean QRS Axis

Applies the hexaxial reference system to determine axis from limb leads. Axis calculation underpins recognition of hemiblocks and ventricular hypertrophy.

Lesson 2 • Right and Left Atrial Enlargement

Identifies P pulmonale and P mitrale patterns with specific amplitude and duration criteria. Links atrial enlargement to underlying valvular and pulmonary disease.

Lesson 3 • Right Ventricular Hypertrophy

Identifies R-wave dominance in V1, right axis deviation, and strain in RVH. Differentiates RVH from posterior MI and bundle branch block patterns.

Lesson 1 • Left Anterior and Posterior Hemiblocks

Diagnoses LAFB by marked left axis deviation and LPFB by right axis deviation. Explains fascicular anatomy and the diagnostic exclusion process for LPFB.

Lesson 2 • Left Bundle Branch Block

Identifies LBBB by broad notched R in lateral leads and absence of septal Q waves. Explains why LBBB invalidates standard ischemia and hypertrophy criteria.

Lesson 3 • Bifascicular and Trifascicular Blocks

Combines RBBB with hemiblock patterns to identify bifascicular block. Assesses progression risk to complete heart block in trifascicular disease.

Lesson 1 • Ventricular Arrhythmias

Recognizes PVCs, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation by QRS morphology. Applies Brugada algorithm to differentiate VT from aberrant SVT.

Lesson 2 • Systematic Rhythm Analysis Method

Establishes a five-step framework: rate, regularity, P waves, PR interval, QRS width. Consistent methodology prevents misdiagnosis across all rhythm types.

Lesson 3 • Preexcitation Syndromes

Identifies delta waves, short PR, and wide QRS of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. Explains accessory pathway conduction and associated tachyarrhythmia risks.

Lesson 4 • Supraventricular Tachyarrhythmias

Covers sinus tachycardia, AVNRT, AVRT, atrial flutter, and atrial fibrillation. Differentiates mechanisms and ECG features to guide management decisions.

Lesson 1 • Evolutionary Changes and Old Infarction

Tracks ECG evolution from acute STEMI through Q wave formation and T wave normalization. Distinguishes acute from chronic infarction patterns.

Lesson 2 • Localizing Infarction by Lead Territory

Maps ST elevation patterns to anterior, inferior, lateral, and posterior infarct territories. Identifies culprit coronary artery from lead groupings.

Lesson 3 • Pathophysiology of Ischemic ECG Changes

Explains how ischemia, injury, and infarction each produce distinct ECG signatures. Links subendocardial vs. transmural involvement to ST depression or elevation.

Lesson 4 • ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Defines STEMI criteria by lead grouping and millimeter thresholds. Identifies hyperacute T waves and early STEMI equivalents for time-critical recognition.

Lesson 1 • Electrolyte and Metabolic ECG Effects

Identifies ECG changes from hyperkalemia, hypokalemia, hypercalcemia, and hypothermia. Recognizes life-threatening electrolyte patterns requiring urgent intervention.

Lesson 2 • Structured ECG Reporting

Teaches a standardized reporting sequence covering rate, rhythm, axis, intervals, and morphology. Produces clear, clinically actionable ECG interpretation reports.

Lesson 3 • Pulmonary and Pericardial ECG Patterns

Recognizes S1Q3T3, sinus tachycardia, and right heart strain in pulmonary embolism. Identifies diffuse saddle-shaped ST elevation and PR depression in pericarditis.

Lesson 4 • Complex Multi-Pattern ECG Cases

Applies all prior knowledge to ECGs with overlapping pathologies and diagnostic challenges. Builds diagnostic confidence through structured case-based reasoning.