Anatomy subcategory

ECG and Cardiac Investigations

Mnemonics for reading the ECG, echocardiography and cardiac imaging.

Entries in ECG and Cardiac Investigations

Bundle Branch Block Patterns Mnemonic

WiLLiaM MaRRoW: left gives W in V1 and M in V6; right gives M in V1 and W in V6

A mnemonic for distinguishing right from left bundle branch block.

CardiovascularECG and Cardiac Investigations
Bundle Branch Block Recognition Mnemonic

WiLLiaM MaRRoW: W in V1 and M in V6 is left, M in V1 and W in V6 is right

A mnemonic for telling left from right bundle branch block.

ECG InterpretationECG and Cardiac Investigations
Cardiac Axis Determination Mnemonic

Both positive is normal; leads pointing away from each other indicate deviation

A memory aid for working out the cardiac axis from leads I and aVF.

CardiovascularECG Interpretation
Cardiac CT and MRI Indications Mnemonic

CT for the arteries, MRI for the muscle

A memory aid for when to use cardiac CT and when to use cardiac MRI.

Cardiac and Vascular TestingECG and Cardiac Investigations
ECG Lead Territories Mnemonic

II, III and aVF inferior; V1 to V4 anterior; I, aVL, V5 and V6 lateral

A memory aid for which ECG leads look at which part of the heart.

CardiovascularECG Interpretation
ECG Reading Sequence Mnemonic

Rate, rhythm, axis, intervals, then the waves in every lead

A memory aid for reading an ECG systematically.

ECG InterpretationECG and Cardiac Investigations
ECG Waves and Intervals Mnemonic

P atrial depolarisation, QRS ventricular depolarisation, T ventricular repolarisation

A memory aid for what each ECG wave and interval represents.

CardiovascularECG Interpretation
Einthoven's Triangle Mnemonic

Three bipolar limb leads forming a triangle around the heart

A memory aid for the arrangement of the limb leads.

CardiovascularECG and Cardiac Investigations
Small Complex and Voltage Criteria Mnemonic

Left ventricular hypertrophy criteria, and the causes of small complexes

A memory aid for high and low voltage on the ECG.

ECG InterpretationECG and Cardiac Investigations
ST Elevation Versus Depression Mnemonic

Elevation suggests transmural injury; depression suggests subendocardial ischaemia

A memory aid for the significance of ST segment shift.

CardiovascularECG Interpretation