334

Personal Quick Reference Sheets

Dubins Method
for
Reading EKGs
from: Rapid Interpretation of EKGs
by Dale Dubin, MD
COVER Publishing Co., P.O. Box 07037, Fort Myers, FL 33919, USA

1. RATE (pages 65-96)

Say 300, 150, 100 75, 60, 50
but for bradycardia:
rate = cycles/6 sec. strip 10

2. RHYTHM (pages 97-202)

Identify the basic rhythm, then scan tracing for prematurity,
pauses, irregularity, and abnormal waves.
Check for: P before each QRS.
QRS after each P.
Check: PR intervals (for AV Blocks).
QRS interval (for BBB).
If Axis Deviation, rule out Hemiblock.

3. AXIS (pages 203-242)

QRS above or below baseline for Axis Quadrant
(for Normal vs. R. or L. Axis Deviation).
For Axis in degrees, find isoelectric QRS in a limb lead
of Axis Quadrant using the Axis in Degrees chart.
Axis rotation in the horizontal plane: (chest leads)
find transitional (isoelectric) QRS.

Check
V1

P wave for atrial hypertrophy.

R wave for Right Ventricular Hypertrophy.
S wave depth in V1
+ R wave height in V5 for Left Ventricular Hypertrophy.

5. INFARCTION (pages 259-308)

Scan all leads for:
Q waves
Inverted T waves
ST segment elevation or depression
Find the location of the pathology (in the Left ventricle),
and then identify the occluded coronary artery.

C o p y r i g h t 2 0 0 0 C OV E R I n c .

4. HYPERTROPHY (pages 243-258)

335

Personal Quick Reference Sheets

Rate (pages 65 to 96)

from: Rapid Interpretation of EKGs
by Dale Dubin, MD
COVER Publishing Co., P.O. Box 07037, Fort Myers, FL 33919, USA

00

75 60 50

50

00
3

START

Determine Rate by Observation (pages 78-88)

Using the triplets:

Name the lines following the Start line.

Fine division/rate association: reference (page 89)

300

150

250

100

136

214

167

May be calculated:

94

125

187

75

60
71

88

115

68
83

107

65
79

62

1500
= RATE
mm. between similar waves

C o p y r i g h t 2 0 0 0 C OV E R I n c .

Bradycardia (slow rates) (pages 90-96)

Cycles/6 second strip 10 = Rate
When there are 10 large squares between similar waves, the rate is 30/minute.

Sinus Rhythm: origin is the SA Node (Sinus Node),

normal sinus rate is 60 to 100/minute.
Rate more than 100/min. = Sinus Tachycardia (page 68).
Rate less than 60/min. = Sinus Bradycardia (page 67).

Determine any co-existing, independent (atrial/ventricular) rates:

Dissociated Rhythms: (pages 155, 157, 186-189)
A Sinus Rhythm (or atrial rhythms) may co-exist with an independent rhythm
from an automaticity focus of a lower level. Determine rate of each.

Irregular Rhythms: (pages 107-111)

With Irregular Rhythms (such as Atrial Fibrillation) always note the general
(average) ventricular rate (QRSs per 6-sec. strip 10) or take the patients
pulse.

336

Personal Quick Reference Sheets

Rhythm (pages 97 to 111)

from: Rapid Interpretation of EKGs
by Dale Dubin, MD
COVER Publishing Co., P.O. Box 07037, Fort Myers, FL 33919, USA

Identify basic rhythm

then scan entire tracing for pauses, premature beats,
irregularity, and abnormal waves.

Always:
Check for: P before each QRS.
QRS after each P.
Check: PR intervals (for AV Blocks).
QRS interval (for BBB).
Has QRS vector shifted outside normal range? (to rule out Hemiblock).

Irregular Rhythms

(pages 107-111)

Sinus Arrhythmia (page 100)

Irregular rhythm that varies
with respiration.
All P waves are identical.
Considered normal.

Wandering Pacemaker (page 108)

Irregular rhythm. P waves
change shape as
pacemaker location varies.
Rate under 100/minute

Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia

(page 109)

Atrial Fibrillation

(pages 110, 164-166)

Irregular ventricular rhythm.

Erratic atrial spikes
(no P waves) from
multiple atrial automaticity
foci. Atrial discharges
may be difficult to see.

C o p y r i g h t 2 0 0 0 C OV E R I n c .

but if the rate exceeds

100/minute, then it is called

337

Personal Quick Reference Sheets

Rhythm continued (pages 112 to 145)

from: Rapid Interpretation of EKGs
by Dale Dubin, MD
COVER Publishing Co., P.O. Box 07037, Fort Myers, FL 33919, USA
(pages 112-121)

But a sick Sinus (SA) Node may

cease pacing (Sinus Arrest),
causing an automaticity focus to
escape to assume pacemaker
status.

the hearts response to a pause in pacing

pause

Then

Atrial
Escape Beat

(page 119)

or

the SA Node
usally resumes
pacing.

Junctional
Escape Beat
(page 120)

or
Ventricular
Escape Beat

(page 121)

Atrial
Escape Rhythm
Rate 60-80/min.

+
+
+

++

+++

++

+
+
+

or

(page 114)

++

++

++

+++

++

Junctional
Escape Rhythm
Rate 40-60/min.
or

+
+
+

++

++

+++

++

(pages 115-116)

(idiojunctional rhythm)
Ventricular
Escape Rhythm
Rate 20-40/min.

(page 117)

(idioventricular rhythm)

Premature Beats
An irritable automaticity
focus may suddenly
discharge, producing a:

C o p y r i g h t 2 0 0 0 C OV E R I n c .

An unhealty Sinus (SA) Node may

fail to emit a pacing stimulus
(Sinus Block); this pause may
evoke an escape beat from an
automaticity focus.

Escape

(pages 122-145)

from an irritable automaticity focus

Premature Atrial Beat
(pages 124-130)

Premature Junctional Beat

(pages 131-133)
Premature Ventricular Contraction
(pages 135-141)
PVCs may be:
multiple, multifocal, in runs, or
coupled with normal cycles.

338

Personal Quick Reference Sheets

Rhythm continued (pages 146 to 172)

from: Rapid Interpretation of EKGs
by Dale Dubin, MD
COVER Publishing Co., P.O. Box 07037, Fort Myers, FL 33919, USA

Tachyarrhythmias

(pages 146-172),

150

Rates:

focus = automaticity focus

250

Paroxysmal
Tachycardia

350

450

Flutter

Fibrillation
multiple foci discharging

Supraventricular Tachycardia
(page 153)

Paroxysmal (sudden) Tachycardia rate: 150-250/min. (pages 146-163)

Paroxysmal Atrial Tachycardia

An irritable atrial focus discharging at

150-250/min. produces a normal wave
sequence, if P' waves are visible. (page 149)

P.A.T. with block

Same as P.A.T. but only every

second (or more) P' wave
produces a QRS. (page 150)

Paroxysmal Junctional Tachycardia

AV Junctional focus produces a rapid

sequence of QRS-T cycles at 150-250/min.
QRS may be slightly widened. (pages 151-153)

Paroxysmal Ventricular Tachycardia

Ventricular focus produces a rapid

(150-250/min.) sequence of (PVC-like)
wide ventricular complexes. (pages 154-158)

fusion

Flutter rate: 250-350/min.

Atrial Flutter

Ventricular Flutter

(pages 161, 162) also see Torsades de Pointes (pages 158, 345)
A rapid series of smooth sine waves from a
single rapid-firing ventricular focus; usually in
a short burst leading to Ventricular Fibrillation.

Fibrillation erratic (multifocal) rapid discharges at 350 to 450/min. (pages 167-170)

Atrial Fibrillation (pages 110, 164-166)

Multiple atrial foci rapidly discharging

produce a jagged baseline of tiny spikes.
Ventricular (QRS) response is irregular.

Ventricular Fibrillation (pages 167-170)

Multiple ventricular foci rapidly discharging

produce a totally erratic ventricular rhythm
without identifiable waves. Needs immediate
treatment.

C o p y r i g h t 2 0 0 0 C OV E R I n c .

A continuous (saw tooth) rapid sequence

of atrial complexes from a single rapid-firing
atrial focus. Many flutter waves needed to
produce a ventricular response. (pages 159, 160)

339

Personal Quick Reference Sheets

Rhythm: (heart) blocks (pages 173 to 202)

from: Rapid Interpretation of EKGs
by Dale Dubin, MD
COVER Publishing Co., P.O. Box 07037, Fort Myers, FL 33919, USA

Sinus (SA) Block

(page 174)

An unhealthy Sinus (SA) Node misses one or more cycles (sinus pause)
the Sinus Node usually resumes pacing, but
the pause may evoke an escape response
from an automaticity focus. (pages 119-121)

AV Block

(pages 176-189)

Always Check:
PR intervals less than one large square? Is every P wave followed by a QRS?

C o p y r i g h t 2 0 0 0 C OV E R I n c .

Blocks that delay or prevent atrial impulses from reaching the ventricles.

1 AV Block

2 AV Block

prolonged PR interval (pages 176-178).

PR interval is prolonged to greater
than .2 sec (one large square).
some P waves without QRS response (pages 179-185)

Wenckebach PR gradually lengthens with each

(pages 180-182,
183)

cycle until the last P wave in the

series does not produce a QRS.

Mobitz some P waves dont produce a QRS

(pages 181-183)

response. If intermittent, an
occasional QRS is droped.
More advanced Mobitz block may
produce a 3:1 (AV) pattern or even
higher AV ratio (page 181).

2:1 AV Block may be Mobitz or Wenckebach.

(pages 182, 183)

PR length and QRS width or

vagal maneuvers help differentiate.

3 (complete) AV Block no P wave produces a QRS response (pages 186-190)

3 Block:
(page 188)

P wavesSA Node origin.

QRSsif narrow, and if the
ventricular rate is 40 to 60 per min.,
then origin is a Junctional focus.

3 Block:
(page 189)

P wavesSA Node origin.

QRSsif PVC-like, and if the
ventricular rate is 20 to 40 per min.,
then origin is a Ventricular focus.

Bundle Branch Block

Right BBB
Always Check:
is QRS within
3 tiny squares?

R R'

QRS in V1

Hemiblock
Always Check:
has Axis shifted
outside Normal
range?

find R,R' in right or left chest leads (pages 191-202)

Left BBB

(pages 194-196)
With Bundle Branch
Block the criteria for
ventricular hypertrophy
are unreliable.

or

V2

(pages 194-197)

R'

QRS in V5

Caution:
With Left BBB
infarction is difficult
to determine on EKG.
or

V6

block of Anterior or Posterior fascicle of the Left Bundle Branch.

Anterior Hemiblock

(pages 295-305)

Axis shifts Leftward L.A.D.

look for Q1S3
(pages 297-299)

Posterior Hemiblock

Axis shifts Rightward R.A.D.

look for S1Q3
(pages 300-302)

340

Personal Quick Reference Sheets

Axis (pages 203 to 242)

from: Rapid Interpretation of EKGs
by Dale Dubin, MD
COVER Publishing Co., P.O. Box 07037, Fort Myers, FL 33919, USA

General Determination of Electrical Axis (pages 203-242)

) or negative (

) in leads I and AVF?

Is Axis Normal? (page 227)

First Determine Axis Quadrant

(pages 214-231)

QRS in lead I (pages 215-222)

QRS upright in I and AVF

two thumbs-up sign

QRS in lead AVF (pages 223-226)

.D

if the QRS is mainly Positive, then

the Vector must point downward to
positive half of the sphere.

Lead AVF

R.

al

Normal:

AVF

.
.D

Lead I

L.

e
em D.
.

AVF

if the QRS is Positive (mainly above

baseline), then the Vector points to
positive (patients left) side.

x
R. tr

Is QRS positive (

No

AVF

AVF

Axis in Degrees (pages 233, 234) (Frontal Plane)

After locating Axis Quadrant, find limb lead where QRS is most isoelectric:
-120o

Extr
em
e

Extreme Right Axis Deviation

lead
Axis
I
90
-150
AVL
120
III
150
AVF
180
-180

-90o

-60o

.
A.D
R.

L.
A.

-30o

D.

0o
0o

+180o

Normal Range
lead
Axis
AVF
0
III
+30
AVL
+60
I
+90

+150o

Ra

ng

R.
A.
No

D.
+120o

rm

al

+30o

+60o
+90o

+90o

Axis Rotation (left/right) in the Horizontal Plane (pages 236-242)

Find transitional (isoelectric) QRS in a chest lead.
transitional QRS
is isoelectric

Patients
Right

R ig

rothtward
a ti o
n

V1

V2

tw
L ef

N or m al R a n g e

V3

V4

ro

ard

on
t a ti

V5

V6

Patients
Left

C o p y r i g h t 2 0 0 0 C OV E R I n c .

Right Axis Deviation

lead
Axis
AVF
+180
II
+150
AVR
+120
I
+90

Left Axis Deviation

lead
Axis
I
90
AVR
60
II
30
AVF
0

-90o

341

Personal Quick Reference Sheets

Hypertrophy (pages 243 to 258)

from: Rapid Interpretation of EKGs
by Dale Dubin, MD
COVER Publishing Co., P.O. Box 07037, Fort Myers, FL 33919, USA

Atrial Hypertrophy

(pages 245-249)

Right Atrial Hypertrophy (page 248)

large, diphasic P wave with tall initial component

Initial
component

Left Atrial Hypertrophy (page 249)

large, diphasic P wave with wide terminal component

terminal
component

Ventricular Hypertrophy

C o p y r i g h t 2 0 0 0 C OV E R I n c .

Right Ventricular Hypertrophy

(pages 250-258)

(pages 250-252)

R wave greater than S in V1, but R wave gets

progressively smaller from V1 - V6.
S wave persists in V5 and V6.
R.A.D. with slightly widened QRS.
Rightward rotation in the horizontal plane.
Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

(pages 253-257)

S wave in V1 (in mm.)

+ R wave in V5 (in mm.)
Sum in mm. is more than 35 mm. with L.V.H.

L.A.D. with slightly widened QRS.

Leftward rotation in the horizontal plane.
Inverted T wave:
slants downward
gradually,

but up rapidly.

342

Personal Quick Reference Sheets

Infarction (pages 259 to 308)

from: Rapid Interpretation of EKGs
by Dale Dubin, MD
COVER Publishing Co., P.O. Box 07037, Fort Myers, FL 33919, USA

Q wave =

Necrosis

(significant Qs only) (pages 272-284)

Significant Q wave is one millimeter (one small square)

wide, which is .04 sec. in duration
or is a Q wave 1/3 the amplitude (or more)
of the QRS complex.
Note those leads (omit AVR) where significant Qs are present
see next page to determine infarct location, and to identify
the coronary vessel involved.

Old infarcts: significant Q waves (like infarct damage) remain

for a lifetime. To determine if an infarct is acute, see below.

ST (segment) elevation = (acute)

Injury

(pages 266-271)

(also Depression)

Signifies an acute process, ST segment returns to

baseline with time.
ST elevation associated with significant Q waves
indicates an acute (or recent) infarct.
A tiny non-Q wave infarction appears as significant
ST segment elevation without associated Qs. Locate by
identifying leads in which ST elevation occurs (next page).

ele vation

ST depression (persistent) may represent subendocardial

infarction, which involves a small, shallow area just beneath
the endocardium lining the left ventricle. This is also a variety
of non-Q wave infarction. Locate in the same manner as for
infarction location (next page).

Ischemia

(pages 264, 265)

Inverted T wave (of ischemia) is symmetrical (left half

and right half are mirror images). Normally T wave is
upright when QRS is upright, and vice versa.

Usually in the same leads that demonstrate signs of

acute infarction (Q waves and ST elevation).

inversion Isolated (non-infarction) ischemia may also be located;

note those leads where T wave inversion occurs, then

identify which coronary vessel is narrowed (next page).

NOTE: Always obtain patients previous EKGs for comparison!

C o p y r i g h t 2 0 0 0 C OV E R I n c .

T wave inversion =

343

Personal Quick Reference Sheets

Infarction Location
and
Coronary Vessel Involvement
(pages 259 to 308)

from: Rapid Interpretation of EKGs

by Dale Dubin, MD
COVER Publishing Co., P.O. Box 07037, Fort Myers, FL 33919, USA

Coronary Artery Anatomy (page 291)

Right Coronary
Artery

Left Coronary
Artery
circumflex

anterior
descending

C o p y r i g h t 2 0 0 0 C OV E R I n c .

Infarction Location/Coronary Vessel Involvement (pages 278-294)

Posterior
large R with
ST depression in V1 & V2
mirror test or reversed
transillumination test
(Right Coronary Artery)
(pages 282-286)

Inferior
(diaphragmatic)
Qs in inferior leads
II, III, and AVF
(R. or L. Coronary Artery)
(pages 281, 294)

Lateral
Qs in lateral leads I and AVL
(Circumflex Coronary Artery)
(pages 280, 292)

Anterior
Qs in V1, V2, V3, and V4
(Anterior Descending
Coronary Artery)
(pages 278, 292)

344

Personal Quick Reference Sheets

Miscellaneous (pages 309 to 328)

from: Rapid Interpretation of EKGs
by Dale Dubin, MD
COVER Publishing Co., P.O. Box 07037, Fort Myers, FL 33919, USA

Pulmonary Embolism

(pages 312, 313)

S1Q3 3 wide S in I, large Q and inverted T in III

acute Right BBB (transient, often incomplete)
R.A.D. and rightward rotation (horizontal plane)
inverted T waves V1 V4 and ST depression in II

Artificial Pacemakers

(pages 321-326)

Demand Pacemakers: (page 322)

Modern artificial pacemakers have sensing capabilities and also provide a

regular pacing stimulus. This electrical stimulus records on EKG as a tiny
vertical spike that appears just before the captured cardiac response.
pacemaker spikes

are triggered (activated) when

the patients own rhythm ceases
or slows markedly.

sinus rhythm ceases

are inhibited (cease pacing)

if the patients own rhythm
resumes at a reasonable rate.
patients sinus rhythm
inhibits pacemaker
PVC stops pacemaker, but

will reset pacing

(at same rate) to
synchronize with a
premature beat.

Pacemaker Impulse

(delivery modes)

pacemaker resumes in step

with premature beat.

(Asynchronous) Epicardial Pacemaker

Ventricular impulse not linked to atrial activity.

Atrial pacemaker (page 323)

Atrial Synchronous Pacemaker (page 323)

P wave sensed, then after a brief delay,
ventricular impulse is delivered.

Dual Chamber (AV sequential) Pacemaker

(page 323)

External Non-invasive Pacemaker

(page 326)

C o p y r i g h t 2 0 0 0 C OV E R I n c .

Ventricular Pacemaker (page 323)

(electrode in Right Ventricle)

345

Personal Quick Reference Sheets

Miscellaneous continued
from: Rapid Interpretation of EKGs
by Dale Dubin, MD
COVER Publishing Co., P.O. Box 07037, Fort Myers, FL 33919, USA

Electrolytes
wide,
flat P

Potassium (pages 314, 315)

peaked T

no P

Increased K+ (page 314)

(hyperkalemia)

QRS widens

wide QRS

moderate

extreme

wa

ve

prominent
U wave

flat T

Decreased K+ (pages 315)

(hypokalemia)

moderate

Calcium (page 316)

Hyper Ca

++

short QT

Digitalis

extreme

Hypo Ca

++

prolonged QT

(pages 317-319)

EKG appearance with digitalis (digitalis effect)

remember Salvador Dali.
T waves depressed or inverted.
QT interval shortened.

C o p y r i g h t 2 0 0 0 C OV E R I n c .

Digitalis Excess
(blocks)
SA Block
P.A.T. with Block
AV Blocks
AV Dissociation

Quinidine

Digitalis Toxicity
(irritable foci firing rapidly)
Atrial Fibrillation
Junctional or Ventricular Tachycardia
multiple P.V.C.s
Ventricular Fibrillation

Quinidine Effects
(page 320)

EKG appearance with quinidine (page 320)

wide QRS
wide,
notched
P

U
ST

long QT interval

Excess quinidine or other medications

that block potassium channels (or even
low serum potassium) may initiate
Torsades de Pointes (page 158)

Torsades de Pointes

346

Personal Quick Reference Sheets

Practical Tips
from: Rapid Interpretation of EKGs
by Dale Dubin, MD
COVER Publishing Co., P.O. Box 07037, Fort Myers, FL 33919, USA

Dubins Quickie Conversion

for

Patients Weight from Pounds to Kilograms

Patient wt. in kg. = Half of patients wt. (in lb.) minus 1/10 of that value.
Examples:

180 lb. patient

(becomes 90 minus 9)
is 81 kg

160 lb. patient

(becomes 80 minus 8)
is 72 kg

140 lb. patient

(becomes 70 minus 7)
is 63 kg.

Modified Leads
for

Cardiac Monitoring

Locations are approximate. Some minor adjustment of electrode positions may be necessary to obtain the best tracing. Identify the specific
lead on each strip placed in the patients record.
Sensor Electrode
+

G*

Letter
R (or RA)
L (or LA)
G (or RL)

Identification
Color (inconsistent)
red
white
variable

* Ground, Neutral or Reference

Modified Lead I

Modified Lead II

Conventional Lead

MCl1

To make this MCl6

+ electrode
move
to same
(mirror)
position on
the patients
left chest.

C o p y r i g h t 2 0 0 0 C OV E R I n c .