EKGs

[blaqmamba]

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Can anyone provide a good link (I've only found too complicated or too basic) or a quick concise write-up on how to approach an EKG? I feel that I was never properly taught it and I'm lost anytime I come across a full-lead (which may come up on my real deal).

I know how to recognize the ones in FA, but would we be seeing a similar pattern in all the leads?

Also looking for some explanation how to recognize LVH, the axis of deviation, and anything else people feel we might asked on our exam.
With that said, I'm pretty sure I can recognize WPW hypo/hyperK and digoxin toxicity.


Thanks

 

[GunbydayJREbynt]

Not sure if this will help but...

http://www.ecgteacher.com/

 

[J ROD]

Anybody use anything recently that helped them? I know most of the basics but some of the more complex stuff I did not really get in class and figured I would get 3rd yr.

Now sure what everyone has been seeing on the real deal but FA is a fairly weak on this. Would appreciate any info or ideas. I hate to miss EKG strips since they should be easier points if you have a clue.

 

[4thQTHailMary]

Had 3 on my exam, which is about 2 more than I expected. All three weren't very straight forward and not the most common ones as seen in FA. All three required you to read the stem and reason through the strips, I.e. the questions were probably answerable without the strips. That's not very helpful but outside of knowing what's in FA I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

[thehundredthone]

Anybody use anything recently that helped them? I know most of the basics but some of the more complex stuff I did not really get in class and figured I would get 3rd yr.

Now sure what everyone has been seeing on the real deal but FA is a fairly weak on this. Would appreciate any info or ideas. I hate to miss EKG strips since they should be easier points if you have a clue.

http://www.learntheheart.com

It's my go to source. Of course I haven't used the new style website as much but I'm guessing the actual information is the same, so I would still highly recommend it.

 

[J ROD]

http://www.learntheheart.com

It's my go to source. Of course I haven't used the new style website as much but I'm guessing the actual information is the same, so I would still highly recommend it.

thanks.

 

[notbobtrustme]

literally had one and it was a super classic picture of heart block.

 

[SBR249]

If you have 1-2 days and need to learn the basics of EKG (not the super advanced stuff), Rapid Interpretation of EKGs by Dubin is a pretty good book. It looks thick (300+ pgs), but almost all pages are literally 4-5 fill in the blank sentences and an illustration. You can blow through it in a day or two at most. The dude writes like he's talking to a 2 year old, but the stuff actually makes sense.

Otherwise, the steps I was taught was:
1. name
2. rate
3. rhythm
4. axis
5. intervals
6. hypertrophy?
7. infarctions?
8. other obvious patterns?

Seeing as this is a test you can probably skip #1. #4 is probably low yield as the only reason I can think of to calculate axis would be a conduction defect or torsades de pointes which should be pretty obvious from the EKG without looking at the axis. So just read the question stem, calculate rate, and eyeball the rest

 

[AnastomoSteve]

If you have 1-2 days and need to learn the basics of EKG (not the super advanced stuff), Rapid Interpretation of EKGs by Dubin is a pretty good book. It looks thick (300+ pgs), but almost all pages are literally 4-5 fill in the blank sentences and an illustration. You can blow through it in a day or two at most. The dude writes like he's talking to a 2 year old, but the stuff actually makes sense.

Otherwise, the steps I was taught was:
1. name
2. rate
3. rhythm
4. axis
5. intervals
6. hypertrophy?
7. infarctions?
8. other obvious patterns?

Seeing as this is a test you can probably skip #1. #4 is probably low yield as the only reason I can think of to calculate axis would be a conduction defect or torsades de pointes which should be pretty obvious from the EKG without looking at the axis. So just read the question stem, calculate rate, and eyeball the rest

+1 for Dubin