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Diagram showing how the polarity of the QRS complex in leads I, II, and III can be used to estimate the heart's electrical axis in the frontal plane. The QRS complex is the combination of three of the graphical deflections seen on a typical electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). It is usually the central and most visually obvious part of the tracing.
In most leads, the T wave is positive. This is due to the repolarization of the membrane. During ventricle contraction (QRS complex), the heart depolarizes. Repolarization of the ventricle happens in the opposite direction of depolarization and is negative current, signifying the relaxation of the cardiac muscle of the ventricles.
ST elevation ≥1 mm in a lead with a positive QRS complex (i.e.: concordance) - 5 points; concordant ST depression ≥1 mm in lead V1, V2, or V3 - 3 points; ST elevation ≥5 mm in a lead with a negative (discordant) QRS complex - 2 points; ≥3 points = 90% specificity of STEMI (sensitivity of 36%) [2]
A shortcut for determining if the QRS axis is normal is if the QRS complex is mostly positive in lead I and lead II (or lead I and aVF if +90° is the upper limit of normal). [ 59 ] The normal QRS axis is generally down and to the left , following the anatomical orientation of the heart within the chest.
The easiest method is the quadrant method, where one looks at lead I and lead aVF. First, examine the QRS complex in both leads I and avF and determine if the QRS complex is positive (height of R wave > S wave), equiphasic (R wave = S wave), or negative (R wave < S wave). If lead I is positive and lead aVF is negative, then this is a possible LAD.
In lead V 1, the QRS complex is often entirely negative (QS morphology), although a small initial R wave may be seen (rS morphology). In the lateral leads (I, aVL, V 5-V 6) the QRS complexes are usually predominantly positive with a slow upstroke last >60ms to the R-wave peak. [4] Notching may be seen in these leads but this is not universal.
The sinus node should pace the heart – therefore, P waves must be round, all the same shape, and present before every QRS complex in a ratio of 1:1. Normal P wave axis (0 to +75 degrees) Normal PR interval, QRS complex and QT interval. QRS complex positive in leads I, II, aVF and V3–V6, and negative in lead aVR. [3]
Precordial concordance, also known as QRS concordance is when all precordial leads on an electrocardiogram are either positive (positive concordance) or negative (negative concordance). [1]