Ecg Course

Lesson 1 • Refractory Periods and Conduction Safety

Defines absolute and relative refractory periods and their protective roles. Connects refractory period concepts to arrhythmia vulnerability windows.

Lesson 2 • Cardiac Cell Anatomy and Function

Covers cardiomyocyte structure, gap junctions, and contractile vs. conductive cells. Establishes the cellular basis for all subsequent electrophysiology concepts.

Lesson 3 • Automaticity and the Conduction System

Traces impulse origin at the SA node through the AV node, bundle of His, and Purkinje fibers. Explains how conduction velocity differences shape normal ECG intervals.

Lesson 4 • Ion Channels and Membrane Potentials

Explains sodium, potassium, and calcium channel roles in generating resting and action potentials. Directly links ion flow to waveform morphology on the ECG.

Lesson 1 • Precordial Lead Electrode Placement

Details V1–V6 anatomical landmarks and correct intercostal positioning. Accurate precordial placement prevents misdiagnosis of anterior and lateral pathology.

Lesson 2 • Understanding Lead Perspectives

Explains how each lead views the heart from a specific anatomical angle. Grouping leads by territory enables systematic localization of pathology.

Lesson 3 • ECG Machine Components and Settings

Identifies amplifier, filter, and paper speed settings on standard ECG machines. Correct settings prevent artifact and ensure diagnostic-quality recordings.

Lesson 4 • Limb Lead Electrode Placement

Covers correct positioning of RA, LA, RL, and LL electrodes on the patient. Proper placement is essential for accurate frontal plane axis determination.

Lesson 1 • T Wave, U Wave, and QT Interval

Describes normal T wave polarity, morphology, and QT interval measurement methods. Correct QTc calculation is critical for drug safety and arrhythmia risk assessment.

Lesson 2 • ST Segment and J Point

Defines isoelectric ST segment position and J point location relative to the QRS. Accurate ST measurement is the cornerstone of ischemia and injury detection.

Lesson 3 • P Wave: Atrial Depolarization

Defines normal P wave morphology, duration, amplitude, and axis. Recognizes normal P wave as the reference for detecting atrial enlargement and ectopy.

Lesson 4 • PR Interval and AV Conduction

Measures PR interval from P wave onset to QRS onset and defines normal range. Establishes the standard for identifying AV conduction delays and pre-excitation.

Lesson 1 • Heart Rate Calculation Methods

Teaches the 300-method, 1500-method, and 6-second strip counting for rate calculation. Accurate rate determination is the first step in any systematic ECG analysis.

Lesson 2 • Frontal Plane Axis Determination

Applies the quadrant method and isoelectric lead method to calculate QRS axis. Axis deviation guides diagnosis of fascicular blocks, hypertrophy, and dextrocardia.

Lesson 3 • Systematic ECG Interpretation Framework

Integrates rate, rhythm, axis, intervals, and morphology into a reproducible step-by-step protocol. Consistent methodology reduces interpretation errors in clinical practice.

Lesson 4 • P Wave and QRS Relationship Analysis

Evaluates P-to-QRS association, P wave morphology consistency, and PR interval constancy. Defines whether the rhythm is sinus, ectopic, or dissociated.

Lesson 1 • Sinus Node Arrhythmias

Covers sinus tachycardia, bradycardia, arrhythmia, and sick sinus syndrome ECG features. Distinguishes physiologic sinus variation from pathologic sinus node dysfunction.

Lesson 2 • Premature Atrial Complexes

Identifies PAC morphology, compensatory vs. non-compensatory pauses, and blocked PACs. Recognizes PACs as triggers for sustained supraventricular tachycardias.

Lesson 3 • Junctional Rhythms

Identifies junctional escape, accelerated junctional, and junctional tachycardia by rate and P wave relationship. Junctional rhythms indicate AV nodal dominance over sinus node.

Lesson 4 • Supraventricular Tachycardias

Distinguishes AVNRT, AVRT, and atrial tachycardia using P wave location and RP interval. Correct SVT classification determines appropriate pharmacologic or procedural therapy.

Lesson 1 • Ventricular Tachycardia

Applies Brugada and Vereckei criteria to differentiate VT from SVT with aberrancy. Correct VT identification is critical because misclassification leads to harmful treatment.

Lesson 2 • Bundle Branch Blocks

Applies QRS duration and morphology criteria to diagnose RBBB and LBBB in V1 and V6. Bundle branch blocks alter ST-T interpretation and require modified ischemia criteria.

Lesson 3 • Fascicular Blocks and Bifascicular Disease

Diagnoses left anterior and left posterior fascicular blocks using axis and QRS criteria. Bifascicular block raises concern for progression to complete heart block.

Lesson 4 • Ventricular Fibrillation and Asystole

Identifies coarse and fine VF waveforms and distinguishes asystole from fine VF. Both require immediate resuscitation; accurate recognition prevents treatment delay.

Lesson 5 • Premature Ventricular Complexes

Characterizes PVC morphology, compensatory pauses, and patterns such as bigeminy and trigeminy. Identifies high-risk PVC features warranting further evaluation.

Lesson 1 • Infarction Localization by Territory

Maps ST changes in specific lead groups to coronary artery territories for culprit vessel identification. Localization guides interventional strategy and predicts complications.

Lesson 2 • STEMI Mimics and Confounders

Distinguishes pericarditis, early repolarization, LVH, and Brugada pattern from true STEMI. Avoiding false activation of the catheterization lab prevents patient harm.

Lesson 3 • Ischemia vs. Injury vs. Infarction

Defines the ECG spectrum from subendocardial ischemia through transmural injury to completed infarction. Understanding this continuum guides triage and reperfusion timing.

Lesson 4 • Infarction Age and Evolutionary Changes

Tracks ECG evolution from hyperacute through acute, subacute, and chronic infarction phases. Recognizing infarction age guides reperfusion eligibility and prognosis.

Lesson 5 • Non-ST Elevation ACS Patterns

Identifies ST depression, T wave inversion, and Wellens syndrome as NSTEMI and unstable angina markers. These patterns require risk stratification rather than immediate reperfusion.

Lesson 1 • Channelopathies and Inherited Arrhythmia Syndromes

Recognizes Brugada, long QT, short QT, and CPVT ECG signatures associated with sudden cardiac death. Early identification enables genetic counseling and preventive therapy.

Lesson 2 • Ventricular and Atrial Hypertrophy

Applies validated voltage and morphology criteria to diagnose LVH, RVH, and atrial enlargement. Hypertrophy patterns indicate chronic pressure or volume overload requiring workup.

Lesson 3 • Metabolic and Electrolyte ECG Effects

Correlates hyperkalemia, hypokalemia, hypercalcemia, and hypothermia with specific ECG changes. Recognizing electrolyte patterns enables rapid life-saving correction.

Lesson 4 • Pulmonary and Pericardial ECG Patterns

Recognizes S1Q3T3, right heart strain, and diffuse saddle-shaped ST elevation in PE and pericarditis. These patterns redirect diagnosis away from ACS and toward correct treatment.

Lesson 5 • Pre-excitation and Wolff-Parkinson-White

Identifies delta waves, short PR, and wide QRS as WPW hallmarks and localizes accessory pathways. WPW recognition is critical because certain drugs are contraindicated.