Stepwise interpretation of ECG

ID 619 – Premature Ventricular Complexes

ID 619 – 68 year old man in the Emergency Department after an accidental fall

Can you see P waves?

ID 619 – 68 year old man in the Emergency Department after an accidental fall

Yes – There is sinus rhythm, rate 100/min, with frequent premature ventricular complexes

ID 619 – 68 year old man in the Emergency Department after an accidental fall

The PR interval is normal – There is no left or right atrial enlargement

ID 619 – 68 year old man in the Emergency Department after an accidental fall

Let’s now look at the QRS complexes: There is normal QRS axis (between O and 90 degrees)

ID 619 – 68 year old man in the Emergency Department after an accidental fall

The QRS complexes that follow the P waves have a normal duration – There is no right bundle branch block, left bundle branch block or non-specific block

ID 619 – 68 year old man in the Emergency Department after an accidental fall

There is no evidence of right or left ventricular hypertrophy

ID 619 – 68 year old man in the Emergency Department after an accidental fall

There are no QRS signs of myocardial infarction

ID 619 – 68 year old man in the Emergency Department after an accidental fall

The ST segment and T waves are normal

ID 619 – 68 year old man in the Emergency Department after an accidental fall

ID 619 – Final diagnosis: Sinus rhythm with frequent premature ventricular complexes. Otherwise, a normal ECG.