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Adding details on normal parameters for P waves in sinus rhythm
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[[Image:SinusRhythmLabels.svg|thumb|300px|right|Schematic representation of normal sinus rhythm showing standard waves, segments, and intervals]]
[[Image:SinusRhythmLabels.svg|thumb|300px|right|Schematic representation of normal sinus rhythm showing standard waves, segments, and intervals]]
A '''sinus rhythm''' is any [[cardiac rhythm]] where [[depolarisation]] of the [[cardiac muscle]] begins at the [[sinus node]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Hampton |first=John R |date=2013 |title=The ECG Made Easy |location=Edinburgh |publisher= Churchill Livingstone|page=4 |isbn=9780702046421|edition=8th}}</ref> It is characterised by the presence of correctly oriented [[P wave (electrocardiography)|P wave]]s on the [[Electrocardiography|electrocardiogram]] (ECG). Sinus rhythm is necessary, but not sufficient, for normal electrical activity within the [[heart]].
A '''sinus rhythm''' is any [[cardiac rhythm]] where [[depolarisation]] of the [[cardiac muscle]] begins at the [[sinus node]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Hampton |first=John R |date=2013 |title=The ECG Made Easy |location=Edinburgh |publisher= Churchill Livingstone|page=4 |isbn=9780702046421|edition=8th}}</ref> It is characterised by the presence of correctly oriented [[P wave (electrocardiography)|P wave]]s on the [[Electrocardiography|electrocardiogram]] (ECG).<ref name="twostep"/> Sinus rhythm is necessary, but not sufficient, for normal electrical activity within the [[heart]].<ref name="twostep"/>


The term '''normal sinus rhythm''' ('''NSR''') is sometimes used to denote a specific type of sinus rhythm where all other measurements on the ECG also fall within designated normal limits, giving rise to the characteristic appearance of the ECG when the [[electrical conduction system of the heart]] is functioning normally.<ref name="understanding">{{cite book |last=Conover|first=Boudreau Conover |date=2003 |title=Understanding Electrocardiography |location=St Louis|publisher= Mosby|page=46 |isbn=9780323019057|edition=8th}}</ref> However, other sinus rhythms can be entirely normal in particular patient groups and clinical contexts, so the term is sometimes considered a misnomer and its use is sometimes discouraged.<ref>{{cite book |last=Geiter|first=Henry B. |date=2006 |title=E-Z ECG Rhythm Interpretation |location=Philadelphia|publisher= F.A. Davis|page=106 |isbn=9780803620353|edition=1st}}</ref>
The term '''normal sinus rhythm''' ('''NSR''') is sometimes used to denote a specific type of sinus rhythm where all other measurements on the ECG also fall within designated normal limits, giving rise to the characteristic appearance of the ECG when the [[electrical conduction system of the heart]] is functioning normally.<ref name="understanding">{{cite book |last=Conover|first=Boudreau Conover |date=2003 |title=Understanding Electrocardiography |location=St Louis|publisher= Mosby|page=46 |isbn=9780323019057|edition=8th}}</ref> However, other sinus rhythms can be entirely normal in particular patient groups and clinical contexts, so the term is sometimes considered a misnomer and its use is sometimes discouraged.<ref>{{cite book |last=Geiter|first=Henry B. |date=2006 |title=E-Z ECG Rhythm Interpretation |location=Philadelphia|publisher= F.A. Davis|page=106 |isbn=9780803620353|edition=1st}}</ref>


[[Image:Bifascicular block ECG.png|thumb|right|Example of a sinus rhythm with [[bifascicular block]].]]
[[Image:Bifascicular block ECG.png|thumb|right|Example of a sinus rhythm with [[bifascicular block]].]]
Other types of sinus rhythm include [[sinus tachycardia]], [[sinus bradycardia]] and [[sinus arrhythmia]]. Sinus rhythm may be present together with other [[cardiac arrhythmia]]s on the same ECG.
Other types of sinus rhythm which can be normal include [[sinus tachycardia]], [[sinus bradycardia]] and [[sinus arrhythmia]]. Sinus rhythm may also present together with various [[cardiac arrhythmia]]s on the same ECG.


==Characteristics==
⚫
==ECG characteristics of normal sinus rhythm==
For an ECG to be described as showing a sinus rhythm, the shape of the P wave in each of the 12 standard [[Electrocardiography#Electrodes and leads|ECG leads]] should be consistent with a "typical P [[Euclidean vector|vector]]".<ref name="twostep">{{cite book |last1=Gertsch |first1=Marc |year=2004 |chapter=3. The Normal ECG and its (Normal) Variants |title=The ECG: A Two-Step Approach to Diagnosis |publisher= Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg |pages=19-21 |edition=1 |doi=10.1007/978-3-662-10315-9 |doi-broken-date= |isbn=978-3-540-00869-9 |oclc=942900796 }}</ref> This means that the P wave should be:
⚫
By convention, the term "normal sinus rhythm" is taken to imply that not only are the P waves (reflecting activity of the sinus node itself) normal in morphology, but that all other ECG measurements are also normal. Criteria therefore include:<ref name="understanding" /><ref>{{cite journal|pmc=4685281 | pmid=26702344 | doi=10.15171/jcvtr.2015.33 | volume=7 | title=Evaluation of the P Wave Axis in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus | journal=J Cardiovasc Thorac Res | pages=154–7 | last1 = Acar | first1 = RD | last2 = Bulut | first2 = M | last3 = Acar | first3 = Ş | last4 = Izci | first4 = S | last5 = Fidan | first5 = S | last6 = Yesin | first6 = M | last7 = Efe | first7 = SC}}</ref>
*always positive in lead I
*always negative in lead aVR
*usually positive in leads II, aVF and III, but may be biphasic (+/-)
*any of biphasic (-/+), positive or negative in lead aVL
*positive in all chest leads, except for V1 which may be biphasic (+/-)<ref name="twostep"/>

If the P waves do not meet these criteria, they must be originating from an abnormal site elsewhere in the atria and not from the sinus node; the ECG cannot therefore be classed as showing a sinus rhythm.<ref name="twostep"/>

In general, each P wave in a sinus rhythm is followed by a QRS complex, and the sinus rhythm therefore gives rise to the whole heart's depolarisation. Exceptions to this include [[complete heart block]] and certain ventricular [[artificial pacemaker]] rhythms, where the P waves may be completely normal in shape, but ventricular depolarisation bears no relation to them; in these cases, the speed of the "sinus rhythm of the atria" and the speed of the ventricular rhythm must be calculated separately.<ref name="twostep"/>

⚫
===Characteristics of normal sinus rhythm===
⚫
By convention, the term "normal sinus rhythm" is taken to imply that not only are the P waves (reflecting activity of the sinus node itself) normal in morphology, but that all other ECG measurements are also normal.<ref name="understanding" /><ref>{{cite journal|pmc=4685281 | pmid=26702344 | doi=10.15171/jcvtr.2015.33 | volume=7 | title=Evaluation of the P Wave Axis in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus | journal=J Cardiovasc Thorac Res | pages=154–7 | last1 = Acar | first1 = RD | last2 = Bulut | first2 = M | last3 = Acar | first3 = Ş | last4 = Izci | first4 = S | last5 = Fidan | first5 = S | last6 = Yesin | first6 = M | last7 = Efe | first7 = SC}}</ref> Criteria therefore include:


# Normal heart rate (classically 60 to 100 beats per minute for an adult).
# Normal heart rate (classically 60 to 100 beats per minute for an adult).
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# Normal P wave axis (0 to +75 degrees)
# Normal P wave axis (0 to +75 degrees)
# Normal [[PR interval]], QRS complex and [[QT interval]].
# Normal [[PR interval]], QRS complex and [[QT interval]].
# QRS complex positive in leads I, II, [[Electrocardiography#Augmented limb leads|aVF]] and V3-V6, and negative in lead aVR.
# QRS complex positive in leads I, II, [[Electrocardiography#Augmented limb leads|aVF]] and V3-V6, and negative in lead aVR.<ref name="understanding" />


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 14:43, 22 October 2017

Schematic representation of normal sinus rhythm showing standard waves, segments, and intervals

A sinus rhythm is any cardiac rhythm where depolarisation of the cardiac muscle begins at the sinus node.[1] It is characterised by the presence of correctly oriented P waves on the electrocardiogram (ECG).[2] Sinus rhythm is necessary, but not sufficient, for normal electrical activity within the heart.[2]

The term normal sinus rhythm (NSR) is sometimes used to denote a specific type of sinus rhythm where all other measurements on the ECG also fall within designated normal limits, giving rise to the characteristic appearance of the ECG when the electrical conduction system of the heart is functioning normally.[3] However, other sinus rhythms can be entirely normal in particular patient groups and clinical contexts, so the term is sometimes considered a misnomer and its use is sometimes discouraged.[4]

Example of a sinus rhythm with bifascicular block.

Other types of sinus rhythm which can be normal include sinus tachycardia, sinus bradycardia and sinus arrhythmia. Sinus rhythm may also present together with various cardiac arrhythmias on the same ECG.

Characteristics

For an ECG to be described as showing a sinus rhythm, the shape of the P wave in each of the 12 standard ECG leads should be consistent with a "typical P vector".[2] This means that the P wave should be:

  • always positive in lead I
  • always negative in lead aVR
  • usually positive in leads II, aVF and III, but may be biphasic (+/-)
  • any of biphasic (-/+), positive or negative in lead aVL
  • positive in all chest leads, except for V1 which may be biphasic (+/-)[2]

If the P waves do not meet these criteria, they must be originating from an abnormal site elsewhere in the atria and not from the sinus node; the ECG cannot therefore be classed as showing a sinus rhythm.[2]

In general, each P wave in a sinus rhythm is followed by a QRS complex, and the sinus rhythm therefore gives rise to the whole heart's depolarisation. Exceptions to this include complete heart block and certain ventricular artificial pacemaker rhythms, where the P waves may be completely normal in shape, but ventricular depolarisation bears no relation to them; in these cases, the speed of the "sinus rhythm of the atria" and the speed of the ventricular rhythm must be calculated separately.[2]

Characteristics of normal sinus rhythm

By convention, the term "normal sinus rhythm" is taken to imply that not only are the P waves (reflecting activity of the sinus node itself) normal in morphology, but that all other ECG measurements are also normal.[3][5] Criteria therefore include:

  1. Normal heart rate (classically 60 to 100 beats per minute for an adult).
  2. Regular rhythm, with less than 0.16 second variation in the shortest and longest durations between successive P waves.
  3. The sinus node should pace the heart – therefore, P waves must be round, all the same shape, and present before every QRS complex in a ratio of 1:1.
  4. Normal P wave axis (0 to +75 degrees)
  5. Normal PR interval, QRS complex and QT interval.
  6. QRS complex positive in leads I, II, aVF and V3-V6, and negative in lead aVR.[3]

References

  1. ^ Hampton, John R (2013). The ECG Made Easy (8th ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. p. 4. ISBN 9780702046421.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Gertsch, Marc (2004). "3. The Normal ECG and its (Normal) Variants". The ECG: A Two-Step Approach to Diagnosis (1 ed.). Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. pp. 19–21. doi:10.1007/978-3-662-10315-9. ISBN 978-3-540-00869-9. OCLC 942900796.
  3. ^ a b c Conover, Boudreau Conover (2003). Understanding Electrocardiography (8th ed.). St Louis: Mosby. p. 46. ISBN 9780323019057.
  4. ^ Geiter, Henry B. (2006). E-Z ECG Rhythm Interpretation (1st ed.). Philadelphia: F.A. Davis. p. 106. ISBN 9780803620353.
  5. ^ Acar, RD; Bulut, M; Acar, Ş; Izci, S; Fidan, S; Yesin, M; Efe, SC. "Evaluation of the P Wave Axis in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus". J Cardiovasc Thorac Res. 7: 154–7. doi:10.15171/jcvtr.2015.33. PMC 4685281. PMID 26702344.
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