QRS axis: Difference between revisions

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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.
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==How do you determine the electrical heart axis==
==How do you determine the electrical heart axis==
[[Image:ECG_lead_angulation.png|300px|left]]
[[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.
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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:
*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)
*Positive QRS deflection in lead AVF: the electrical activity is directed down.
*Positive QRS deflection in lead AVF: the electrical activity is directed down.
This indicates a normal heart axis. Usually, these two leads are enough to diagnose a normal heart axis!
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.
 
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. In the middle of the figure is the AV-node. A horizontal line towards the left arm is defined as 0 degrees.
 
A normal heart axis is between -30 and +90 degrees.
 
'''Rule:''' biggest QRS deflection in I and II is an intermediate = normal heart axis.
So positive deflections in I and II indicates a normal heart axis.
 
====Interpretation====
The interpretation of the electrical heart axis has a few rules of thumb:
 
* First, when a positive depolarization wave moves towards a positive electrode, a positive, upwards deflection is registered on the ECG.
*Second, there are 4 quadrants where the QRS-vector can point:
**left upper quadrant --> left axis deviation (between -30º and -90º)
**left lower quadrant --> normal (between -30º and 90º)
**right lower quadrant --> right axis deviation (between 90º and -150º)
**right upper quadrant --> extreme axis (between -90º and -150º)


''Example'':
*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 +180)
*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 QRS in lead I, will have a negative deflection in a right axis deviation. The vector is not directed towards the electrode. However, lead AVF will be positive, the vector is directed towards the electrode.
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.


An iso-electric lead can help estimate the heart axis more precisely:
;Iso-electric
;Iso-electric
:When the depolarization is perpendicular on the lead, this is called '''iso-electric'''. The QRS is neither positive nor negative.  
:When the depolarization is perpendicular on the lead, this is called '''iso-electric'''. The QRS is neither positive nor negative.  
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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)

Latest revision as of 21:12, 14 January 2021

«Step 3: Conduction (PQ, QRS, QT, QTc) Step 5: P wave morphology»


Author(s) I.A.C. van der Bilt, MD
Moderator T.T. Keller
Supervisor
some notes about authorship



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.

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

ECG lead angulation.png
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.
Hart axis.png

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 QRS deflection in lead AVF: the electrical activity is directed down.

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 degrees)
  • 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. (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.

An iso-electric lead can help estimate the heart axis more precisely:

Iso-electric
When the depolarization is perpendicular on the lead, this is called iso-electric. The QRS is neither positive nor negative.
Undetermined axis
When all extremity leads are biphasic, the axis is directed to the front or back, in a transverse plane. The axis is than undetermined.


Abnormal heart axis

The direction of the vector can changes under different circumstances:

  1. When the heart itself is rotated (right ventricular overload), obviously the axis turns with it.
  2. In case of ventricular hypertrophy, the axis will deviate toward the greater electrical activity and the vector will turn toward the hypertrophied tissue.
  3. Infarcted tissue is electrically dead. No electrical activity is registered and the QRS vector turns away from the infarcted tissue
  4. In conduction problems, the axis deviates too. When the right ventricle depolarizes later than the left ventricle, the axis will turn to the right (RBBB). This is because the right ventricle will begin the contraction later and therefore will also finish later. In a normal situation the vector is influenced by the left ventricle, but in RBBB only the right ventricle determines it.


Left axis deviation

Left heart axis
Left anterior hemiblock

Causes of left axis deviation include:


Right axis deviation

Right heartaxis
Another example of an ECG with a right heart axis

Causes of right axis deviation include: