Electrocardiographic Abnormalities and Cardiac Disorders
Abnormal ECG Patterns: Types, causes, and clinical implications
Electrocardiographic abnormalities indicate various cardiac disorders. Understanding abnormal ECG patterns aids in early diagnosis and treatment.
6/7/2025• 6 min read• 31 views
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normalintermediateGeneral Medicine
Electrocardiographic Abnormalities and Cardiac Disorders
Understanding Abnormal ECG Patterns
The electrocardiogram (ECG) is a vital tool in cardiology, used to assess heart function and diagnose various cardiac conditions.
Types of Abnormal ECG Patterns
Bradycardia and Tachycardia
- Bradycardia: Slow heart rate (<60 bpm), often due to sinus node dysfunction.
- Tachycardia: Fast heart rate (>100 bpm), which may originate from the atria or ventricles.
Arrhythmias
- Atrial Fibrillation (AF): Irregular and rapid atrial contractions.
- Ventricular Fibrillation (VF): Disorganized electrical activity leading to cardiac arrest.
Conduction Abnormalities
- Bundle Branch Blocks: Delayed conduction in the left or right bundle branch.
- Heart Block: Impaired electrical signals between atria and ventricles.
Myocardial Ischemia and Infarction
- ST-Segment Elevation: Indicates acute myocardial infarction.
- T-Wave Inversions: Suggest ischemia or other cardiac issues.
Causes and Clinical Implications
Abnormal ECG patterns may arise due to electrolyte imbalances, ischemic events, structural heart disease, or drug effects.
Conclusion
Recognizing ECG abnormalities is crucial for timely diagnosis and intervention. Healthcare professionals must be vigilant in interpreting ECG findings.
Tags
#ECG#Arrhythmia#Bradycardia#Tachycardia#Myocardial Infarction
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