Subject(s)
Acute Coronary Syndrome/nursing , Attitude to Death , Fear , Myocardial Infarction/nursing , Nursing Diagnosis , Acute Coronary Syndrome/diagnosis , Angina Pectoris/diagnosis , Angina Pectoris/nursing , Bundle-Branch Block/diagnosis , Bundle-Branch Block/nursing , Electrocardiography/nursing , Germany , Humans , Myocardial Infarction/diagnosis , Risk FactorsSubject(s)
Bundle-Branch Block/diagnosis , Electrocardiography , Aged , Bundle-Branch Block/nursing , Checklist , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
Twelve-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) record 12 different views of cardiac electrical activity, or leads. They therefore provide more information than bedside monitors, which usually record one or sometimes two leads. Many acutely ill patients have 12-lead ECGs recorded either on admission to hospital, before undergoing operations or when specific cardiac concerns have arisen. Traditionally, ECGs have aided clinical diagnoses and, by learning how to understand and interpret them, nurses will know when they need to summon expert help. This article describes what each of the 12 leads represents, outlines the main indications for recording 12-lead ECGs and identifies likely causes of error in interpreting them.
Subject(s)
Arrhythmias, Cardiac/diagnosis , Electrocardiography/methods , Acute Coronary Syndrome/diagnosis , Acute Coronary Syndrome/nursing , Acute Coronary Syndrome/physiopathology , Arrhythmias, Cardiac/nursing , Arrhythmias, Cardiac/physiopathology , Artifacts , Bundle-Branch Block/diagnosis , Bundle-Branch Block/nursing , Bundle-Branch Block/physiopathology , Electrocardiography/instrumentation , Electrocardiography/nursing , Electrodes , Humans , Myocardial Infarction/diagnosis , Myocardial Infarction/nursing , Myocardial Infarction/physiopathologySubject(s)
Acute Coronary Syndrome/prevention & control , Bundle-Branch Block/diagnosis , Bundle-Branch Block/mortality , Electrocardiography , Heart Conduction System/physiopathology , Bundle-Branch Block/nursing , Early Diagnosis , Emergency Medical Services/methods , Emergency Nursing/methods , Emergency Service, Hospital , Female , Hospital Mortality/trends , Humans , Male , Risk Assessment , Sensitivity and Specificity , Survival Analysis , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Twelve-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) record 12 different views of cardiac electrical activity, thus providing more information than bedside monitors, which usually display one or sometimes two leads. Many acutely ill patients have 12-lead ECGs recorded on admission to hospital and at other times, such as pre-operatively or when there are specific cardiac concerns. ECGs have traditionally been an aid to medical diagnosis, but understanding and being able to interpret them enables nurses to summon help urgently if needed. This article describes what each of the 12 leads represents, outlines the main indications for recording 12-lead ECGs and identifies likely causes of error.
