Basic Electrocardiography

Electrocardiography is a simple investigation to perform, but accurate interpretation can be challenging. This book takes a logical and systematic approach to ECG interpretation, beginning with the basics of normal variations and dealing in turn with atrial abnormalities, ventricular enlargement, ventricular conduction defects and ischemic heart disease. Extensively illustrated with ECG tracings that complement the text, this book provides clear and concise explanations of traditional concepts of electrocardiography and combines them with updates on the most recent developments in the field. In 22 clinical cases, Professor Bayés de Luna illustrates the principles of the book by integrating electrocardiographic features with clinical findings for a thorough and methodical approach to cardiac disease. Regular self-assessments allow readers to evaluate their understanding of the ECG and reinforce key concepts. This book is an ideal introduction to normal and abnormal ECG patterns. It is particularly valuable for medical students, residents / junior doctors and nurses who wish to broaden their skills in electrocardiography.

Foreword by Günter Breihardt vi Foreword by Elliott M. Antman vii Introduction ix Part I The ECG in different clinical settings of ischaemic heart disease: correlations and prognostic implications 1 1 Anatomy of the heart: the importance of imaging techniques correlations 3 2 Electrocardiographic changes secondary to myocardial ischaemia 19 3 Electrocardiographic pattern of ischaemia: T-wave abnormalities 30 4 Electrocardiographic pattern of injury: ST-segment abnormalities 55 5 Electrocardiographic pattern of necrosis: abnormal Q wave 128 Part II The ECG in different clinical settings of ischaemic heart disease: correlations and prognostic implications 195 6 Acute and chronic ischaemic heart disease: definition of concepts and classification 197 7 Patients with acute chest pain: role of the ECG and its correlations 199 8 Acute coronary syndrome: unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction 209 9 Myocardial infarction with Q wave 275 10 Myocardial infarction without Q waves or equivalent: acute and chronic phase 289 11 Clinical settings with anginal pain outside the ACS 297 12 Silent ischaemia 302 13 Usefulness and limitations of the ECG in chronic ischaemic heart disease 304 14 The ECG as a predictor of ischaemic heart disease 308 References 310 Index 325