The Practice of Electrocardiography: A Problem-Solving Guide to Confident Interpretation

by Thomas M. Blake

Overview

Electrocardiography is a mature discipline, so familiar to both doctors and patients that it's hardly noticed, one of those tests that have always been there, like the white count and hemoglobin, not something one has to think about much, or question. To some extent this view is valid, but it overlooks some important points. Like the white count and hemoglobin, electrocardiograms are produced by technicians using mechanical devices that turn out numbers, but there is a difference. The white count and hemoglobin are reported as single values to be interpreted by the doctor who knows the patient and ordered the test, but the graph produced by an EKG machine represents millions of numbers displayed as XY plots, a message written in a language different from one's own. It requires transla­ tion, and this means that the translator must not only know the language, but also be able to assess the effects on it of the many factors that may have modified its meaning between origin and delivery. There is potential for harm to the patient, as well as for help, in every facet of the process, and to lose sight of this, to see the tracing as a single whole, would be like seeing words as units without con­ sidering the letters that compose them. When we read, we do recog­ nize whole words, patterns, but, having learned the letters first, revert to this base intuitively when we encounter a new word, or one that is misspelled.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780896032613
Publisher:	Springer-Verlag New York, LLC
Publication date:	05/23/1994
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1994
Pages:	319
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.35(d)

About the Author

Blake, Thomas M. (Univ of Mississippi)

Table of Contents

Ch. 1. Introduction.- Ch. 2. How to Describe and Interpret an Electrocardiogram.- Ch. 3. Electrocardiography in Perspective.- Ch. 4. Anatomic and Physiologic Basis of the Electrocardiogram.- Ch. 5. Lead Systems.- Ch. 6. Electrocardiographic Equipment and Methods: Including Artifacts and Technical Errors.- Ch. 7. Analytic Methods.- Ch. 8. Disorders of Impulse Formation.- Ch. 9. Abnormalities of Atrioventricular Conduction.- Ch. 10. Abnormalities of Intraventricular Conduction.- Ch. 11. Myocardial Infarction.- Ch. 12. Atrial and Ventricular Enlargement.- Ch. 13. Abnormalities of Ventricular Repolarization.- Ch. 14. Selected Topics.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Lonnie C. Edwards, MD (Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine)
Description: This book is a unique guide to the interpretation of the electrocardiogram, which integrates a logical understanding of ECG principles with cardiac pathophysiology and interesting historical perspectives into an easy-to-read text.
Purpose: The book is designed to provide a clear insightful method of the analysis of ECGs based on clinical reasoning as opposed to simple pattern recognition and rote memorization.
Audience: The book is written principally for medical students, house staff, and nurses, although practicing physicians will find it insightful.
Features: The book includes an extensive bibliography with clear illustrations and examples. The historical perspectives and literary wit make it unique among other ECG texts.
Assessment: This is a very easy-to-read book that provides the reader with a logical, entertaining, and instructive guide to the principles of electrocardiography and the ECG analysis.

Doody's Review Service

3 Stars from Doody

This book is a unique guide to the interpretation of the electrocardiogram, which integrates a logical understanding of ECG principles with cardiac pathophysiology and interesting historical perspectives into an easy-to-read text. The book is designed to provide a clear insightful method of the analysis of ECGs based on clinical reasoning as opposed to simple pattern recognition and rote memorization. The book is written principally for medical students, house staff, and nurses, although practicing physicians will find it insightful. The book includes an extensive bibliography with clear illustrations and examples. The historical perspectives and literary wit make it unique among other ECG texts. This is a very easy-to-read book that provides the reader with a logical, entertaining, and instructive guide to the principles of electrocardiography and the ECG analysis.

Lonnie C. Edwards

Explains how examining an electrocardiogram tracing with four measurements gives consistent and medically rigorous interpretations that distinguish normal and abnormal patterns. For medical and nursing students and practitioners, and for administrators assessing competence. No information is provided about earlier editions. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

...a unique guide to the interpretation of the electrocardiogram...provide(s) a clear insightful method of the analysis of ECGs based on clinical reasoning as opposed to simple pattern recognition and rote memorization...a logical, entertaining and instructive guide...- Doody's Health Sciences Book Review Journal

From the Publisher