Basic electrocardiography Electrocardiogram is the recording of the electrical signals of the heart. Electrocardiogram (ECG) recorded from the body surface is known as surface ECG while that recorded
Cardiac embryology Cardiovascular system is the first system to develop in the embryo. Cardiac progenitor cells develop into cardiac myoblasts. These surround the cardiogenic field formed by the
Basic cardiac electrophysiology The conduction system of the heart consists of specialized conduction tissue. It consists of the sinoatrial node (SA node), internodal pathways, atrioventricular node (AV node),
Cardiac action potential Typically described cardiac action potential is that of the myocardial cell. Action potential of tissues like sinus node will be different and characterized by diastolic
Cardiac cycle Cardiac cycle consists of all events occurring in the heart during a systole and the following diastole. Clinically systole starts from the first heart sound and
Cardiac murmurs Cardiac murmurs are initially classified into systolic, diastolic and continuous. They can be timed in relation to the carotid pulse. A systolic murmur starts with or
Additional heart sounds Clicks: Clicks may be divided into ejection and non-ejection clicks. The click of mitral valve prolapse is a non-ejection click. It is typically mid systolic.
Heart sounds Two normally heard heart sounds are the first heart sound (S1) and second heart sound (S2). Second heart sound has two components – aortic (A2) and
Auscultatory areas Precordium is generally divided into four auscultatory areas, but other areas may be checked in specific situations. The common auscultatory areas correspond to the locations at
Palpation of precordium and adjacent areas Palpation initially confirms the findings of inspection and further looks for new findings. Apex beat: Apex beat is defined as the lowest
