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Module title = Tutorial: Analyze the Waveforms
Lesson title = P conducted to QRS?
This is lesson 10 of 11 in this module
Is the P wave "conducted" to the QRS? Very good question. In a normal heartbeat the answer is yes because the following events occur:
the electrical impulse is initiated by the SA node,
is conducted through the atria,
down through the AV node,
and conducted to the ventricles.
Super important detail:
the SA node is generating both the P wave and the QRS complex.
When this happens, we say that the
P wave is conducted to the QRS.
When this happens, we will see on the ECG:
an
upright
P wave is present
the PR interval is normal length, or could be long
a QRS complex is present
the P wave occurs before the QRS
WHY
these criteria are required?
when the SA node is the pacemaker, it immediately conducts into the atria and creates an
upright
P wave (as opposed to an inverted P wave)
the PR interval is created by the delay in the AV node
if the electrical system makes it down to the ventricles, then a QRS complex is also required
everything must happen in this order
Before you have learned about abnormal rhythms (which is now), you might be thinking that all these details are super obvious. However, there are rhythms with no P waves or P waves that come AFTER the QRS or missing QRS complexes or pretty much any combination of strangeness that you could imagine. Therefore,
always look for the threesome of the: P wave, PR Interval, and QRS complex
in that order. If any one of these is missing, something abnormal will be happening in the ECG.
This lesson might seem like a small detail, but it is a very important concept: we are dedicating an entire lesson on it. Try the practice sessions and see how you do.
Lesson 10 of 11
That was the last lesson!