i need help with ekgs..can anyone reccomend an easy way to learn how to read them?
thanks.
thanks.
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i need help with ekgs!
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I don't have any specific book to recommend but, go back & review your Cardio phys. If you understand the type of depolarization & the cooresponding EKG patterns, you should be able to interpret nearly anything you see.
a lot of people will recommend Dubin but I personally preferred "The Only EKG Book You'll Ever Need." It's shorter, more concise.
I second this book. Also, my cardiology rotation really helped.
I like both books myself but I think I reach for Dubins first when I have a question.
But both are excellent resources IME.
Agree with above books, but I would also recommend getting a book of sample ECGs, so that you can actually practice "reading" them. You may even be able to get ahold of a packet from someone in Cardiology or IM that they use to teach their residents. Basically, you just need 50 or so 12-leads to practice.
Go through them several times, until you can anticipate what findings you expect to see given a certain diagnosis.
Go through them several times, until you can anticipate what findings you expect to see given a certain diagnosis.
i've tried dubins..it's alright...and a start. like previous poster, u just need to read ekgs.
the best book i've used is 'introduction to electrocardiography' by paul huang. it has 60 ekg's and asks u for rate/rhythm, intervals; axis; enlargement/hypertrophy; r wave progression; ischemia/infarct for every ekg. u can find it on ebay/amazon.
the best book i've used is 'introduction to electrocardiography' by paul huang. it has 60 ekg's and asks u for rate/rhythm, intervals; axis; enlargement/hypertrophy; r wave progression; ischemia/infarct for every ekg. u can find it on ebay/amazon.
Okay, so a lot of people have suggested various books, but how about some actual tips?
Check the rate on every ECG using the 300 150 100 75 60 50 rule.
Determine if the rhythm is normal- that is, is there a p wave before every q wave and a q wave after every p wave? Both conditions are necessary. Is the person in sinus arrhythmia, in which everything is normal except the change in the pulse with breathing?
Look at the PR interval. If it's too long, for example, the person could be in first degree heart block.
The voltages on leads I and AvF should be positive in people older than infants. If BOTH of them are negative, suspect that someone has reversed the leads when doing the ECG.
High voltages in lead V1 means right ventricular hypertrophy. Maybe the person has pulmonary stenosis. High voltages in lead V6 means left ventricular hypertrophy.
These are just some basics but it will get you started looking at ECGs. Does anyone have anything else to add? I think the most important thing is to go through ECGs systematically.
Check the rate on every ECG using the 300 150 100 75 60 50 rule.
Determine if the rhythm is normal- that is, is there a p wave before every q wave and a q wave after every p wave? Both conditions are necessary. Is the person in sinus arrhythmia, in which everything is normal except the change in the pulse with breathing?
Look at the PR interval. If it's too long, for example, the person could be in first degree heart block.
The voltages on leads I and AvF should be positive in people older than infants. If BOTH of them are negative, suspect that someone has reversed the leads when doing the ECG.
High voltages in lead V1 means right ventricular hypertrophy. Maybe the person has pulmonary stenosis. High voltages in lead V6 means left ventricular hypertrophy.
These are just some basics but it will get you started looking at ECGs. Does anyone have anything else to add? I think the most important thing is to go through ECGs systematically.
We are learning EKG now. Here are some high yield tricks:
This doctor told me this cool trick (takes 2 seconds): If leads I and II are positive than you have a normal QRS axis. If lead I is positive and II is negative than you have a left axis deviation. If lead I is negative than you have a right axis deviation. The PR interval should be .12-.2 seconds and the QRS interval half that.
Memorize what are the anterior leads, left lateral leads and inferior leads. All Left lateral leads and II are normal looking. The rest of the inferior leads are normal with no (s). Now you have only four EKG curves to memorize. AVR looks upside down (memorize it). Memorize V1-V4. You should see a good R wave progression. If you don't see this than it is bad.
This doctor told me this cool trick (takes 2 seconds): If leads I and II are positive than you have a normal QRS axis. If lead I is positive and II is negative than you have a left axis deviation. If lead I is negative than you have a right axis deviation. The PR interval should be .12-.2 seconds and the QRS interval half that.
Memorize what are the anterior leads, left lateral leads and inferior leads. All Left lateral leads and II are normal looking. The rest of the inferior leads are normal with no (s). Now you have only four EKG curves to memorize. AVR looks upside down (memorize it). Memorize V1-V4. You should see a good R wave progression. If you don't see this than it is bad.
http://www.ecglibrary.com/
i just found this.looks pretty good. hope this helps (once u've already learned the basics from those other books).
i just found this.looks pretty good. hope this helps (once u've already learned the basics from those other books).
The absolute best EKG book I've ever seen is "Basic Electrocardiography ECG" by Stephen Scheidt, MD, illustrated by Frank H. Netter, MD, and published by Ciba-Geigy. My copy was published in 1986. I got mine in med school and STILL refer to it. I don't know if its still in print.
Nick
Nick
Dale Dubin was convicted of possession of child pornography in 1987. He served several years in prison. His medical license in Florida is still revoked.
http://ww2.doh.state.fl.us/irm00praes/PRASINDI.ASP?LicId=7964&ProfNBR=1501
Just some food for thought before you buy his book.
http://ww2.doh.state.fl.us/irm00praes/PRASINDI.ASP?LicId=7964&ProfNBR=1501
Just some food for thought before you buy his book.
Yeah, and it's actually the same easy way you learn to suture, place IVs, read chest x-rays, or use an opthalmoscope.
Hint: It's the same way you get to Carnegie Hall.
Not to be too facetious, but EKG reading is a skill, just like a host of others, that requires both instruction and practice. Both can come from books, websites, or instructors, but looking for brief instruction on SDN probably won't help much.
If it all seems too overwhelming, try just focussing first on certain topics; e.g. recognizing "bad" rhythms, or diagnosing an AMI.
Oh yeah, buy Marriott's book. It's a classic, and he wasn't a pederast.
This is a cool website to test your knowledge after you've learned EKGs (I liked Dubin's book) http://www.anesoft.com/FreeStuff/index.asp click on "Rhythm" links on top.
N
njbmd
I don't care what he did before or after he wrote the book. Dubin's Book is excellent and gets the job done. I highly recommend Dubin's Rapid Interpretation of EKGs. It will get you up to speed very quickly. 👍
