The purpose of this text is to provide a reference work ticular attention has been paid to the diagnosis of covering basic electrocardiographic (EeG) patterns common rhythm problems. and diagnoses in a succinct and useful format. The The contents are directed at the primary physi­ book covers common adult EeG abnormalities and is cian in residency training or in practice, and a reason­ organized according to the type of abnormality, able background knowledge of terminology and basic rather than by specific disease or EeG diagnosis. De­ pathophysiology is assumed. Thus, certain topics, tailed lists of possible causes for various EeG patterns such as a detailed discussion of electrophysiology, are have been included wherever appropriate, and par- omitted for the sake of brevity. For a discussion of this 5 PREFACE 6 topic, complex or unusual rhythm patterns, and the have generally been selected as common examples of advanced techniques of deciphering unusual rhythms abnormalities, often as they occur in concert with and other uncommon abnormalities, the reader is re­ other abnormalities, rather than as pure "classic" ex­ ferred to other, more detailed, texts. The techniques of amples of a single abnormality. Therefore, in many performing an ECG are not covered here and the topic instances the examples given include commonly as­ of children's ECGs is treated only briefly. A number of sociated abnormalities in addition to the one under more detailed self-study and reference texts are avail­ discussion.