Electrocardiogram (= EKG)


  • It records the heart's electric activity

  • Normal rate and rhythm.
  • No abnormalities noted

  • # Chest leads are applied as follows:
    1. V1: 4th ICS at Rt sternal border
    2. V2: 4th ICS at Lt sternal border
    3. V3: Midway between V2 and V4
    4. V4: 5th ICS at Lt midclavicular line
    5. V5: 5th ICS at anterior axillary line
    6. V6: 5th ICS at midaxillary line

  • To diagnose Myocardial Infarction, injury, and ischemia.
  • To identify hypertrophy, axis deviation, electrolyte abnormalities.
  • To distinguish between ventricular and supraventricular tachycardias

  • Axis deviations (Rt or Lt)
  • Conduction disturbances
  • Dysrhythmias
  • Hypertrophy of the ventricles
  • Electrolyte imbalance
  • Pericarditis
  • Pulmonary infarctions
  • Therapeutic drug effects or toxicity, or both

  • Patient movement
  • Poor grounding
  • Poor skin contact