MCCCD Program Description

Introduction to ECG Rhythm Analysis and Interpretation for EMS Professionals

Course: PME190

First Term: 2020 Fall

Lecture 3.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S- Standard

Description: Designed to provide an overview of the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system and electrophysiology of the cardiac conduction system for Emergency Medical Service (EMS) professionals. Basic electrocardiograph (ECG) multi-lead acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of various dysrhythmias and cardiovascular conditions.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Describe the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system. (I) 2. Describe the electrophysiology of the cardiac conduction system. (II, III) 3. Describe the types of ECG leads and views. (IV) 4. Place electrodes in the correct anatomical location needed for multi-lead ECG acquisition. (IV) 5. Analyze ECG rhythms using standard methods. (V) 6. Identify ECG abnormalities. (V) 7. Integrate knowledge of ECC guidelines, ECG, and the structure and function of the cardiovascular and cardiac conduction systems to formulate a differential diagnosis for acute coronary syndromes. (VI)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system A. Pulmonary circulation B. Systemic circulation C. Effects of the autonomic nervous system D. Cardiovascular physiology 1. Sequence of blood flow through the heart 2. Cardiac cycle 3. Stroke volume 4. Cardiac output 5. Preload and afterload 6. Frank-Starling Law 7. Receptor sites II. Basic electrophysiology A. Basic myocardial cell groups B. Primary properties of cardiac cells 1. Automaticity 2. Excitability 3. Conductivity 4. Contractility C. Major ions that affect cardiac function D. Movement of ions E. Cardiac depolarization F. Cardiac repolarization G. Refractory periods III. Electrical conduction system of the heart A. Location and function of each structure of the electrical conduction system of the heart B. Normal pathway of an impulse through the electrical conduction system of the heart IV. The Electrocardiogram (ECG) A. The basics of ECG monitoring B. Types of ECG leads C. Grids and markings on ECG graph paper D. ECG wave forms E. Correlating ECG wave forms to cardiac events F. Steps to analyze the ECG tracing G. Calculate heart rate and heart rhythm H. Causes of artifact V. Analysis and interpretation of ECG rhythms and cardiovascular conditions VI. ECG rhythm interpretation and differential diagnosis for the acute coronary syndromes

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: October 22, 2019

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.