ECG Rhythms in ACLS

By behereaxum

Summary

On the cardiac monitor, every heartbeat leaves a trace. Learn to read four patterns that decide your next move in ACLS.

Chapters

  1. On the cardiac monitor, every heartbeat (0s)
  2. First, your baseline. A normal rhythm (7s)
  3. A pause is a sudden gap (18s)
  4. Asystole is a flat line. No (29s)
  5. Pulseless electrical activity looks organized on (41s)
  6. Pause, asystole, PEA. Recognize each strip (52s)

Transcript

On the cardiac monitor, every heartbeat leaves a trace. Learn to read four patterns that decide your next move in ACLS. First, your baseline. A normal rhythm repeats steadily: a small P wave, a sharp QRS spike, then a rounded T wave, evenly spaced, over and over. A pause is a sudden gap in an otherwise normal rhythm. The tracing stops briefly, one or more expected beats simply dropped, then normal complexes march back in. Asystole is a flat line. No P waves, no QRS complexes, no electrical activity at all. Before you call it, always confirm asystole in at least two leads. Pulseless electrical activity looks organized on the screen, complexes and all, but the patient has no pulse. The tracing lies, so never trust the monitor alone. Always check your patient. Pause, asystole, PEA. Recognize each strip fast, and you'll act with confidence.