The electrocardiogram (ECG) is one of the most useful diagnostic tests in emergency medicine. It is an easy and inexpensive test that is used routinely in the assessment of patients with chest pain. The ECG is the cornerstone for making the diagnosis of cardiac ischemia and is used for making decisions about eligibility for thrombolytic therapy.

To avoid misinterpreting the ECG, the clinician must have a systematic approach. This module is designed to guide the learner through a stepwise approach to ECG interpretation. Specific examples of a variety of abnormal ECG's are included at the end along with a brief quiz.