Making Sense of the ECG

A guide to the recognition and interpretation of ECG abnormalities and what action to take, explained in the context of patient assessment. This text is for the non-specialist and does not presume a high level of knowledge or interest.

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A practical, hands-on book for the non-expert in ECG interpretation, heavily illustrated with 2-colour ECGs specially re-drawn from original ECG printouts. A wide range of abnormalities are included. ECG interpretation is explained in the context of overall patient assessment, with emphasis on crucial questions such as 'Are the abnormalities I can see significant?' and 'Has this patient had a myocardial infarction?' and then takes the reader through what to do about the problem identified, including 'Should I refer this patient to a specialist cardiologist?'



Chapter 1 provides a concise introduction to electrocardiography. The book is thereafter structured according to significant aspects of the ECG trace, e.g. 'The P wave' and The ST segment', aiding the development of essential pattern recognition skills. Information related to specific medical conditions or to specific ECG patterns is readily accessible via two special contents lists at the front of the book. The three final chapters present practical guidance on three key clinical scenarios (pacemakers, exercise testing, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation) related to ECG interpretation.



This book should be particularly invaluable to any non-cardiologist dealing with a cardiac problem in the middle of the night; it includes strict guidance on when to proceed and when to wake the expert up.