Prelearning: ECG Interpretation

A clinically based approach to ECG Interpretation

Learning to read and confidently interpret an ECG is a valuable skill for assessing and treating patients with a wide range of acute presentations including chest pain, syncope, stroke and shortness of breath. In this course we introduce an easy to learn approach to ECG interpretation that allows the clinician to quickly identify clinically significant findings such as acute myocardial ischaemia, arrhythmias, conduction block and serious biochemical disorder. The approach is highly practical and can be immediately applied to the clinical care of the emergency patient.

The prelearning explores the following topics:

• 1. Introduction to a clinically based approach to ECG Interpretation

• 2. Some really basic ECG physiology

• 3. Why the P wave is often the clue to arrhythmias

• 4. How the QRS is useful to clinical practice

• 5. ECG diagnosis of Cardiac Arrhythmias

• 6. How to avoid missing the ECG clues to myocardial ischaemia

The workshop is delivered over two days and you may attend Day 1 or Day 2 or both days - your choice !

Day One: Core ECG Skills

Day One includes the following topic areas

• Basic ECG physiology

• Structured approach to ECG interpretation

• Introduction to Conduction disorders : AV Block, Bundle Branch Block, Wolf Parkinson White

• Introduction to Myocardial Ischaemia: ECG changes of ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction

• Recognising basic rhythm disturbances: Atrial fibrillation, Supraventroicyuklar Tachycardia, Ventricular Tachycardia. 

Day one is recommended for those new or inexperienced in ECG interpretation or wanting to review Core ECG skills.

Day Two: Advanced ECG Interpretation

Day Two includes the following topic areas

• Mycocardial Ischaemia: Posterior STEMI, Right Ventricular STEMI, Non-STEMI, new patterns of ischaemia (Wellen, de Winter, LMCA and Proximal LAD stenosis

• Acute Pericarditis, Benign Early Repolarisation

• Advanced conduction abnormalities (Bifasicular block, Brugada)

• Biochemical and toxicological disorders

• Complex arrhythmias.   

Day two assumes basic ECG knowledge of Bundle branch block, STEMI and common arrhythmias (AF, SVT and VT).