Learning objectives
The course will enable students to acquire novel and critical knowledge on the electrocardiographic technique, on its diagnostic and prognostic values, by integrating notions of heart physiology and neurophysiology.
Prerequisites
Basic notions of electrophysiology and of the autonomic nervous system.
Course unit content
With these lessons the topics of the heart-brain relationship and of electrocardiography will be addressed.
Full programme
-ECG: its history and the basic principles of heart electrophysiology;
- P wave (electrogenesis; relation to the heart cycle, morphology, notion of its diagnostic features in relation to atrial heart pathology;
- PR interval (electrogenesis, relation to the heart cycle, morphology, notion of its diagnostic features in relation to heart pathology of conduction tissue;
- QRS (electrogenesis; relation to the heart cycle, morphology, notion of its diagnostic features in relation to the diagnosis of heart hypertrophy and infarct;
- ST (electrogenesis; relation to the heart cycle, morphology, notion of its diagnostic features in relation to the diagnosis of ischemia;
- T (electrogenesis; relation to the heart cycle, morphology, notion of its diagnostic features in relation to the diagnosis of heart overload;
- U wave;
- QTc (absolute and relative refractory periods);
- ECG as prognostic tool (short excursus on the prognostic meaning of “traditional waves”, followed by the introduction of “alternative/innovative” measures applied to the ECG: waves dispersion in the spatial and temporal domains, post-potentials, etc.);
- ECG applied to the study of the autonomic nervous system;
- HRV (temporal and spectral domains, notions of “complexity”): analysis methodology and its implications;
- The heart-brain relationship;
- The Polyvagal Theory of Porges.
Bibliography
Slides available online.
Dale Dubin, Interpretazione dell’ECG. Monduzzi, 2008.
Teaching methods
Frontal lectures
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral examination, within the exam of Physiology.
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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