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QRS axis: Difference between revisions
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→How do you determine the electrical heart axis
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'''''Click and drag the arrow in the above animation to change the heart axis and see how the ECG changes.''''' | '''''Click and drag the arrow in the above animation to change the heart axis and see how the ECG changes.''''' | ||
The electrical heart axis is an average of all depolarizations in the heart. The depolarization wave begins in the right atrium and proceeds to the left and right ventricle. Because the left ventricle wall is thicker than the right wall, the arrow indicating the direction of the depolarization wave is directed to the left. | The electrical heart axis is an average of all depolarizations in the heart. The depolarization wave begins in the right atrium and proceeds to the left and right ventricle. Because the left ventricle wall is thicker than the right wall, the arrow indicating the direction of the depolarization wave is directed to the left. | ||
For a lot of people, this is a difficult concept. The theoretical part seems difficult, but in working with it, the reader will find it becoming clearer. | For a lot of people, this is a difficult concept. The theoretical part seems difficult, but in working with it, the reader will find it becoming clearer. | ||
==How do you determine the electrical heart axis== | ==How do you determine the electrical heart axis== | ||
[[Image:ECG_lead_angulation.png| | [[Image:ECG_lead_angulation.png|500px|left]] | ||
[[Image:hartas2.jpg|thumb|The heart axis indicates the average direction of the depolarization wave. A normal heart axis, the picture shows an example, is between -30 and +90 degrees. In this example, the heart axis is +45 degrees.]] | [[Image:hartas2.jpg|thumb|The heart axis indicates the average direction of the depolarization wave. A normal heart axis, the picture shows an example, is between -30 and +90 degrees. In this example, the heart axis is +45 degrees.]] | ||
[[Image:hart_axis.png|thumb]] | [[Image:hart_axis.png|thumb]] | ||
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When you average all electrical signals from the heart, you can indicate the direction of the average electrical depolarization with an arrow (vector). This is the heart axis. A change of the heart axis or an extreme deviation can be an indication of pathology. To determine the heart axis you look at the extremity leads only (not V1-V6). If you focus especially on leads I, II, and AVF you can make a good estimate of the heart axis. An important concept in determining the heart axis is the fact that electricity going towards a lead yields a positive deflection in the electric recording of that lead. Imagine the leads as cameras looking at the heart. Lead I looks horizontally from the left side. Lead II looks from the left leg. Lead III from the right leg and lead AVF from below towards the heart. A positive deflection here is defined as the QRS having a larger 'area under the curve' above the baseline than below the baseline. With these basics in mind, one can easily estimate the heart axis by looking at leads I and AVF: | When you average all electrical signals from the heart, you can indicate the direction of the average electrical depolarization with an arrow (vector). This is the heart axis. A change of the heart axis or an extreme deviation can be an indication of pathology. To determine the heart axis you look at the extremity leads only (not V1-V6). If you focus especially on leads I, II, and AVF you can make a good estimate of the heart axis. An important concept in determining the heart axis is the fact that electricity going towards a lead yields a positive deflection in the electric recording of that lead. Imagine the leads as cameras looking at the heart. Lead I looks horizontally from the left side. Lead II looks from the left leg. Lead III from the right leg and lead AVF from below towards the heart. A positive deflection here is defined as the QRS having a larger 'area under the curve' above the baseline than below the baseline. With these basics in mind, one can easily estimate the heart axis by looking at leads I and AVF: | ||
*Positive (the average of the QRS surface above the baseline) QRS deflection in lead I: the electrical activity is directed to the left (of the patient) | *Positive (the average of the QRS surface above the baseline) QRS deflection in lead I: the electrical activity is directed to the left (of the patient) | ||
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This indicates a normal heart axis. Usually, these two leads are enough to diagnose a normal heart axis! A normal heart axis is between -30 and +90 degrees. | This indicates a normal heart axis. Usually, these two leads are enough to diagnose a normal heart axis! A normal heart axis is between -30 and +90 degrees. | ||
*A '''left heart axis''' is present when the QRS in lead I is positive and negative in II and AVF. (between -30 and -90 | *A '''left heart axis''' is present when the QRS in lead I is positive and negative in II and AVF. (between -30 and -90 degrees) | ||
*A '''right heart axis''' is present when lead I is negative and AVF positive. (between +90 and + | *A '''right heart axis''' is present when lead I is negative and AVF positive. (between +90 and +180) | ||
*An '''extreme heart axis''' is present when both I and AVF are negative. This is a rare finding. | *An '''extreme heart axis''' is present when both I and AVF are negative. (axis between +180 and -90 degrees). This is a rare finding. | ||
The largest vector in the heart is from the AV-node in the direction of ventricular depolarization. Under normal circumstances, this is directed left and down.(towards leads I and AVF). The position of the QRS vector is given in degrees. See the figure. A horizontal line towards the left arm is defined as 0 degrees. | The largest vector in the heart is from the AV-node in the direction of ventricular depolarization. Under normal circumstances, this is directed left and down.(towards leads I and AVF). The position of the QRS vector is given in degrees. See the figure. A horizontal line towards the left arm is defined as 0 degrees. | ||
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== Right axis deviation== | == Right axis deviation== | ||
[[Image:rightaxis.jpg|thumb| Right heartaxis]] | [[Image:rightaxis.jpg|thumb| Right heartaxis]] | ||
[[File:E000604.png|thumb|Another example of an ECG with a right heart axis]] | |||
Causes of right axis deviation include: | Causes of right axis deviation include: | ||
*Normal variation (vertical heart with an axis of 90º) | *Normal variation (vertical heart with an axis of 90º) | ||