Table of Contents

Preface to third edition vii

About the author ix

Acknowledgements xi

Abbreviations xiii

Part 1: Understanding the electricity of the heart and how it produces an ECG complex 1

1 What is an ECG? 3

2 The electricity of the heart 4

3 Rhythms of sinus origin 10

Part 2: Abnormal electricity of the heart 15

4 Recognising and understanding ectopia 17

5 Ventricular arrhythmias 27

6 Supraventricular arrhythmias 44

7 Abnormalities in the conduction system 54

8 Changes in the P–QRS–Tmorphology 63

Part 3: More advanced electrocardiography 71

9 Understanding the ECG limb lead systems 73

10 Mean electrical axis (MEA) explained 75

11 Intraventricular conduction defects 79

12 Supraventricular arrhythmias: in-depth 86

Part 4: Management, clinical significance and treatment of arrhythmias 95

13 Management of arrhythmias 97

14 Clinical significance and treatment of tachyarrhythmias 102

15 Clinical significance and treatment of bradyarrhythmias 112

Part 5: Recording and interpreting ECGs 119

16 Approach to interpretation of the ECG recording 121

17 Artefacts 124

18 Recording an ECG 130

19 Choosing an ECG recorder 137

20 Ambulatory ECG monitoring 143

Further reading 152

Index 153

About the Author

Mike Martin holds a Diploma in Veterinary Cardiology and hasbeen an RCVS Recognised Specialist since 1995. He has been anexaminer at Certificate and Diploma level for the Royal College ofVeterinary Surgeons. He has been both Honorary Secretary andChairman of the Veterinary Cardiovascular Society. He haspublished over 40 scientific peer reviewed papers. He is arecipient of BSAVA awards: in 1993 the Dunkin Award, in 2000 theMelton Award, in 2006 the Petsavers Award and in 2010 the Dunkin& Blaine Awards. He is a frequent CPD lecturer within Europeand has presented his clinical research at Specialist Cardiologymeetings in both Europe and the USA.

Reviews

"Overall, this book does an excellent job of describing the most common arrhythmias encountered, with easy-to-follow key points highlighted. It is an excellent guide for readers interested in gaining a basic understanding of how to read ECGs and treat patients with arrhythmias." (Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 15 June 2016)