This is a 2-step approach remembered by 2 mnemonics:
Step 1: Evaluate all elements of the EKG systematically: A RARE PQRST.
Step 2: Differential diagnosis. Look for diseases that may have caused the abnormalities noted in step 1: DR III EEE !
This systematic approach to reading electrocardiograms (ECGs or EKGs) works every time, just like a machine. By using it, you will not miss any major abnormalities in electrocardiograms (EKGs).
What is the meaning of the mnemonics?
A RARE PQRST:
Age, e.g. a 60-yo patient is likely have a different pathology from a 30-yo patient
Rate, e.g. fast or slow?
Axis, e.g. left or right?
Rhythm, e.g. regular or irregular?
Evaluate each EKG element as follows:
P wave, e.g. peaked or absent? PR interval - short or prolonged?
Q wave, e.g. deep Q wave? QT inerval - - short or prolonged?
R wave, e.g. tall? look at QRS complex width for RBBB or LBBB
ST segment, e.g. elevation or depression?
T wave, e.g. peaked or inverted? U wave?
DR III EEE:
Drugs , e.g. Digoxin, tricyclic antidepressants
Rhythm and rate abnormalities, e.g. AV block of 1,2,3 degree, AFib, SVT? Interval prolongation?
Ischemia?
Infarct? Deep Q wave?
Infection, e.g. pericarditis
Enlargement, e.g. LVH, RVH, left or right atrium enlargement?
Electrolyte disturbances, e.g. hyperkalemia, hypokalemia, hypercalcemia,
Endocrine causes, e.g. hypothyroidism
How to use this approach in practice?
Look at the EKG and write down on a piece of paper:
A R A R E P Q R S T
D R I I I E E E
Circle the abnormalities you discover in step 1 -- A RARE PQRST. Then, connect and try to explain these abnormalities by looking at the list of possible etiologies presented in step 2 -- DR III EEE. That's it!
An example:
A systematic approach to the EKG of a patient with AFib (click to enlarge).
References
Proceedings of the 3rd Annual Perioperative Medicine Summit, Cleveland Clinic, September 10-12, 2007, CCJM.
Imaging: Electrocardiograms, X-rays, CT scans
ECG Wave-Maven by the Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
The lost art of electrocardiography - DoctorRW.blogspot.
Reading an EKG - UAB.edu.
ECG scribbles. An Approach. Anaesthetist.com.
APDIM E-Learning Task Force: Cardiac Auscultation, Chest X-Rays, Electrocardiograms, Patient Images (Dermatology), Pulmonary Function Tests, 2009.
Can't-Miss ECG Findings, Life-Threatening Conditions: Slideshow. Medscape, 2009.
Audio
Audio lecture: Basics of EKG. Dr. Dwight Dishmon. Podcasting Project for the UT Internal Medicine Residency Program, 2006.
Video
ECG Video part 1: For Med Students studying the basics of reading an electrocardiogram, from the University of Wisconsin.
ECG Video part 2.
Created: 05/15/2003
Updated: 07/05/2009
This was really helpful for my assignment thanks!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for every thing
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