EKG Mastery: EKG Variants and Myocardial Mimics – Karen M. Marzlin

ECG interpretation is based on comparison to the normal ECG.  In this session you will learn normal ECG variants and myocardial mimics because their interpretation often leads to a wrong diagnosis. You will learn how drugs and electrolyte imbalances affect the ECG and be able to better understand the clinical presentation of your patient and provide for rapid and life-saving interventions.

OUTLINE

Variants

• Early repolarization
• Persistent T wave inversion
• Additional normal variants

Mimics

• Pericarditis
• Pulmonary embolus
• Aortic dissection
• CNS disease

Drug and electrolyte effects

• Digoxin
• Antiarrhythmics
• QT prolonging agents
• Potassium
• Calcium

OBJECTIVES

• Describe the characteristics of ST segment elevation associated with early repolarization.
• Differentiate pericarditis from myocardial infarction by ECG and clinical criteria.
• Identify 3 specific ECG findings that may be associated with pulmonary embolus.
• Discuss ECG and clinical implications of antiarrhythmic pharmacology and other medications affecting ventricular repolarization.
• Recognize and correlate electrolyte abnormalities with anticipated ECG findings.