ECG Interpretation

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.

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.

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.

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

A memory aid for reading an ECG systematically.

P atrial depolarisation, QRS ventricular depolarisation, T ventricular repolarisation

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

First degree long PR, second degree some dropped beats, third degree complete dissociation

A memory aid for the degrees of atrioventricular block.

Width tells you where it starts, regularity tells you which one

A memory aid for classifying a tachycardia by QRS width and regularity.

Low potassium, magnesium and calcium, plus many drugs, prolong the QT interval

A memory aid for the causes of QT prolongation.

Left ventricular hypertrophy criteria, and the causes of small complexes

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

Elevation suggests transmural injury; depression suggests subendocardial ischaemia

A memory aid for the significance of ST segment shift.