The Heart
The heart comprises four chambers, two atria and two ventricles, each with distinct functions in pumping blood to various parts of the body. The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the vena cava. It pumps the blood to the right ventricle, which then directs it to the lungs for oxygenation via the pulmonary artery. The pulmonary vein transports oxygenated blood from the respiratory organs to the left atrium, which pumps the blood to the left ventricle (Bannerman, n.d). A thicker muscular wall is characteristic of the LV compared to other heart chambers since it pumps blood to all body organs and tissues. The Sinoatrial node is the pacemaker that initiates transmission signals in the cardiac conduction pathway. Other players are the AV-node, HIS bundle, right bundle, Purkinje fibers, and the left posterior bundle (Bannerman, n.d). The signal is propagated from the right to the left atrium, leading to the contraction of the myocardium. Purkinje fibers aid in stimulating the contraction of individual myocardial fibers (Bannerman, n.d). Supplying all organs and tissues with oxygen and nutrients is the heart’s vital role in the body through pumping blood. There are specific landmarks on the body where the ECG leads are placed.
V1, on the 4th intercostal space at the right border of the sternum, V2 on the 4th intercostal space, left the sternum (Bannerman, n.d). V3 between V1and V2. V5 on the left axillary line in line with V4, V6 on in the same plane as V5. Lead I to 111 are placed on the limbs, avR, avL, and avF in directions that are parallel to the limb leads. The P wave illustrates the activation of the atrium (Bannerman, n.d). QRS is the activation of the ventricular chambers. T wave shows the quick deactivation of the heart’s contractile cells, while the PR is the interim between the onset of the P wave and the start of the QRS.
References
Lisa Bannerman’s Personal Meeting Room. (n.d). Retrieved from https://cehe.zoom.us/rec/play/u8B7c7-u-m03HoCRtgSDUaIoW9TrJq6s0nMY-PMMy0awU3cHMQWnZ-EbNuTrZ5GZegzi5xDKbAkH5zus?startTime=1594738529000&_x_zm_rtaid=3zs5XZEFQ2ylf_j1-0bnCw.1596868299955.627b2ee69a83d436b7e13dec99fa3601&_x_zm_rhtaid=611