Which condition most commonly causes peaked notched or enlarged P waves on a EKG rhythm strip?
Print version of Knowledge bytes used in this lesson. Show Close the window to return to the lesson after printing. The rate of paper (i.e. of recording of the EKG) is 25 mV/s which results in:
The voltage recorded from the leads is also standardized on the paper where 1 mm = 1 mV (or between each individual block vertically) This results in:
Heart rate calculation: Normal range at rest is between 60-100 beats per minute (bpm). The basic way to calculate the rate is quite simple. You take the duration between two identical points of consecutive EKG waveforms such as the R-R duration. Take this duration and divide it into 60. The resulting equation would be: Rate = 60/(R-R interval) A quicker way to obtain an approximate rate is
Rhythm can be quite variable. It could be
P wave Represents discharge of SA node and depolarization of both atria
QRS QRS complex is a series of wave forms following P wave. Naming convention:
Q wave
T wave First upward deflection after QRS complex. Represents: ventricular repolarization
U wave What it represents is not certain. This upright wave, when present, follows the T wave.
PR interval Represents: atria to ventricular conduction time (through His bundle) It includes P wave and PR segment. Normal duration: 0.12-2.0 seconds (3-5 horizontal boxes). This is measured from the onset of the P wave to the onset of the QRS complex regardless if the initial wave is a Q or R wave. Abnormal duration:
ST segment Represents early phase of repolarization of ventricles. Begins at the end of S wave and ends at the beginning of T wave. In normal situations, it serves as the isoelectric line from which to measure the amplitudes of the other waveforms. ST segments are usually isoelectric and normal. When examining the ST segment, evaluate elevations or depressions 0.06 seconds after the J point (since the ST segment can at times be sloping). Abnormal:
QT and QTc (corrected QT) interval QT represents the duration of activation and recovery of the ventricular muscle. This duration varies inversely with the heart rate Since the duration of QT varies inversely with the heart rate, the QT is not used, but rather the corrected QT is. QTc interval QTc = QT + 1.75 (ventricular rate - 60)
What causes peaked or notched P waves?A notched P wave or bifid P wave indicates left atrial enlargement, nearly always the result of a narrowed mitral valve. The mitral valve lets blood flow from the left atrium into the left ventricle. If this valve is narrow – mitral stenosis – the atrium does not have time to empty before it relaxes.
What do large P waves indicate?P Waves. Tall (>2.5 mm), narrow, and spiked P waves are indicative ofright atrial enlargement and are seen in congenital pulmonary stenosis, Ebstein anomaly of the tricuspid valve, tricuspid atresia, and sometimes cor pulmonale. These abnormal waves are most obvious in leads II, V3R, and V1 (Fig. 450.8A).
Is a notched P wave normal?Normal P waves may have a slight notch, particularly in the precordial (chest) leads. Bifid P waves result from slight asynchrony between right and left atrial depolarisation.
What would cause abnormalities in the P wave?Intra- or interatrial conduction disturbances can increase P wave duration, sometimes creating a notched or biphasic wave, but usually not splitting the P waves [4]. Split P waves are believed to be due to atriopathy, or atrial myocardial lesions resulting in abnormal electrophysiologic conduction.
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