Richard Pflanzer, Ph.D.

Biopac Student Lab® Lesson 5 Associate Professor Emeritus

Indiana University School of Medicine
ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY (ECG) I Purdue University School of Science
42 Aero Camino, Goleta, CA 93117 Introduction (MP41)
William McMullen
www.biopac.com Rev. 06052020 Vice President, BIOPAC Systems, Inc.

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Physiology Lessons
for use with the
Lesson 1 ECG I
Biopac Student Lab MP41
Electrocardiography

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Windows
or Mac OS

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BIOPAC Systems, Inc.

42 Aero Camino, Goleta, CA 93117
(805) 685-0066, Fax (805) 685-0067
[email protected]
www.biopac.com

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Page I-2 L05 – Electrocardiography (ECG) I (MP41) ©BIOPAC Systems, Inc.

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I. INTRODUCTION

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The main function of the heart is to pump blood through two circuits:

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1. Pulmonary circuit: through the lungs to oxygenate the blood and remove carbon dioxide; and
2. Systemic circuit: to deliver oxygen and nutrients to tissues and remove carbon dioxide.

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Because the heart moves blood through two separate circuits, it is sometimes described as a dual pump.
In order to beat, the heart needs three types of cells:

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1. Rhythm generators, which produce an electrical signal (SA node or normal pacemaker);
2. Conductors to spread the pacemaker signal; and

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The Electrical and Mechanical Sequence of a Heartbeat
The heart has specialized pacemaker cells that start the electrical
sequence of depolarization and repolarization. This property of
cardiac tissue is called inherent rhythmicity or automaticity. The
electrical signal is generated by the sinoatrial node (SA node) and
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spreads to the ventricular muscle via particular conducting

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pathways: internodal pathways and atrial fibers, the

atrioventricular node (AV node,) the bundle of His, the right
and left bundle branches, and Purkinje fibers (Fig. 5.1).
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When the electrical signal of a depolarization reaches the

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contractile cells, they contract—a mechanical event called systole.

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When the repolarization signal reaches the myocardial cells, they

Fig. 5.1 The Heart
relax—a mechanical event called diastole. Thus, the electrical
signals cause the mechanical pumping action of the heart;
mechanical events always follow the electrical events (Fig. 5.2).
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The SA node is the normal pacemaker of the heart, initiating each

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electrical and mechanical cycle. When the SA node depolarizes,

the electrical stimulus spreads through atrial muscle causing the muscle to contract. Thus, the SA node depolarization is
followed by atrial contraction.
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The SA node impulse also spreads to the atrioventricular node (AV node) via the internodal fibers. (The wave of
depolarization does not spread to the ventricles right away because there is nonconducting tissue separating the atria and
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ventricles.) The electrical signal is delayed in the AV node for approximately 0.20 seconds when the atria contract, and then
the signal is relayed to the ventricles via the bundle of His, right and left bundle branches, and Purkinje fibers. The
Purkinje fibers relay the electrical impulse directly to ventricular muscle, stimulating the ventricles to contract (ventricular
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systole). During ventricular systole, ventricles begin to repolarize and then enter a period of diastole (Fig. 5.2).
Although the heart generates its own beat, the heart rate (beats per minute or BPM) and strength of contraction of the heart
are modified by the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system.
• The sympathetic division increases automaticity and excitability of the SA node, thereby increasing heart rate. It
also increases conductivity of electrical impulses through the atrioventricular conduction system and increases the
force of atrioventricular contraction. Sympathetic influence increases during inhalation.
• The parasympathetic division decreases automaticity and excitability of the SA node, thereby decreasing heart rate.
It also decreases conductivity of electrical impulses through the atrioventricular conduction system and decreases
the force of atrioventricular contraction. Parasympathetic influence increases during exhalation.
©BIOPAC Systems, Inc. L05 – Electrocardiography (ECG) I (MP41) Page I-3

The Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Just as the electrical activity of the pacemaker is communicated to the cardiac muscle, “echoes” of the depolarization and
repolarization of the heart are sent through the rest of the body. By placing a pair of very sensitive receivers (electrodes) on
other parts of the body, the echoes of the heart’s electrical activity can be detected. The record of the electrical signal is called
an electrocardiogram (ECG). You can infer the heart’s mechanical activity from the ECG. Electrical activity varies through
the ECG cycle as shown below (Fig. 5.2):

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Fig. 5.2 Components of the ECG (Lead II) & Electrical and mechanical events of the cardiac cycle
The ECG represents electrical events of the cardiac cycle whereas Ventricular Systole and Ventricular Diastole represent
mechanical events (contraction and relaxation of cardiac muscle, passive opening and closing of intracardiac valves, etc.).
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Electrical events occur quickly, mechanical events occur slowly. Generally, mechanical events follow the electrical events
that initiate them. Thus, the beginning of ventricular diastole is preceded by the beginning of ventricular depolarization. In
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fact, in a normal resting Lead II, ventricular repolarization normally begins before the completion of ventricular systole in the
same cardiac cycle. That is why the end of ventricular systole/beginning of ventricular diastole is marked in Fig. 5.2 about
1/3 of the way down the T-wave.
Because the ECG reflects the electrical activity, it is a useful “picture” of heart activity. If there are interruptions of the
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electrical signal generation or transmission, the ECG changes. These changes can be useful in diagnosing changes within the
heart. During exercise, however, the position of the heart itself changes, so you cannot standardize or quantify the voltage
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changes.
Components of the ECG
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The electrical events of the heart (ECG) are usually recorded as a pattern of a baseline (isoelectric line,) broken by a P wave,
a QRS complex, and a T wave. In addition to the wave components of the ECG, there are intervals and segments (Fig. 5.2).
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• The isoelectric line is a point of departure of the electrical activity of depolarizations and repolarizations of the
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cardiac cycles and indicates periods when the ECG electrodes did not detect electrical activity.
• An interval is a time measurement that includes waves and/or complexes.
• A segment is a time measurement that does not include waves and/or complexes.
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Page I-4 L05 – Electrocardiography (ECG) I (MP41) ©BIOPAC Systems, Inc.

Table 5.1 Components of the ECG & Typical Lead II Values*

ECG Duration Amplitude
Measurement area… Represent…
COMPONENT (seconds) (millivolts)
P begin and end on isoelectric depolarization of the right and left atria. 0.07 – 0.18 < 0.25
line (baseline); normally
upright in standard limb leads
QRS begin and end on isoelectric depolarization of the right and left 0.06 – 0.12 0.10 – 1.50
Waves

complex line (baseline) from start of Q ventricles. Atrial repolarization is also part of

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wave to end of S wave this segment, but the electrical signal for
atrial repolarization is masked by the larger
QRS complex (see Fig. 5.2)
T begin and end on isoelectric repolarization of the right and left ventricles. 0.10 – 0.25 < 0.5

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line (baseline)
P-R from start of P wave to start time from the onset of atrial depolarization 0.12-0.20

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of QRS complex to the onset of ventricular depolarization.
Intervals

Q-T from start of QRS complex to time from onset of ventricular 0.32-0.36
end of T wave depolarization to the end of ventricular

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repolarization. It represents the refractory
period of the ventricles.

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R-R from peak of R wave to peak time between two successive ventricular 0.80
of succeeding R wave depolarizations.
P-R from end of P wave to start of time of impulse conduction from the AV 0.02 – 0.10

S-T
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QRS complex
between end of S wave and
node to the ventricular myocardium.
period of time representing the early part of < 0.20
Segments

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start of T wave ventricular repolarization during which
ventricles are more or less uniformly
excited.
T-P from end of T wave to start of time from the end of ventricular 0.0 – 0.40
successive P wave repolarization to the onset of atrial
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depolarization.
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* Notes: Tabled values represent results from a typical Lead II setup (wrist and ankle electrode placement) with Subject
heart rate ~75 BPM. Values are influenced by heart rate and placement; values for torso placement would be
different.
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Leads
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The particular arrangement of two electrodes (one positive, one negative) with respect to a third electrode (the ground) is
called a lead. The electrode positions for the different leads have been standardized. For this lesson, you will record from
Lead II, which has a positive electrode on the left ankle, a negative electrode on the right wrist, and the ground electrode on
the right ankle. Typical Lead II values are shown in Table 5.1.
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The dominant ECG component in any normal standard lead record is the QRS complex. Usually, in a Lead II record the Q
and S waves are small and negative and the R wave is large and positive as shown in Fig. 5.2. However, it is important to
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note many factors, normal and abnormal, determine the duration, form, rate, and rhythm of the QRS complex.
▪ Normal factors include body size (BSA) and distribution of body fat, heart size (ventricular mass,) position of the
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heart in the chest relative to lead locations, metabolic rate, and others.
For example, in a person who has a high diaphragm, the apex of the heart may be shifted slightly upward and to the
person’s left. This change in the position of the heart alters the “electrical picture” of ventricular depolarization seen by the
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Lead II electrodes, resulting in decreased positivity of the R wave and increased negativity of the S wave. In other words,
the positive amplitude of the R wave decreases and the negative amplitude of the S wave increases.
Similar changes in the Lead II QRS complex may be observed in a person, an athlete for example, who has no cardiac
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disease but does have a larger than normal left ventricular mass. In fact the decrease in R wave positivity coupled with the
increase in S wave negativity may be so extreme as to give rise to the mistaken impression that the R wave has become
inverted, when in reality the inverted spike is an enlarged S wave preceded by a much smaller but still positive R wave.
When the amplitudes of Lead II Q, R, and S waves are all negative, the result is an abnormal inverted QRS complex.
▪ Abnormal factors include hyper- and hypothyroidism, ventricular hypertrophy (observed for example, in chronic
valvular insufficiency,) morbid obesity, essential hypertension and many other pathologic states. A more detailed
discussion of QRS changes in response to normal and abnormal factors requires an introduction to cardiac vectors,
for which the reader is referred to Lesson 6.
©BIOPAC Systems, Inc. L05 – Electrocardiography (ECG) I (MP41) Page I-5

Effects of the Resting Respiratory Cycle on Heart Rate

Temporary minor increases and decreases in heart
rate associated with the resting respiratory cycle
reflect heart rate adjustments made by systemic
arterial and systemic venous pressure receptor
(baroreceptor) reflexes in response to the cycling of
intrathoracic pressure (Fig. 5.3).
When inspiratory muscles contract, pressure within
the thorax (intrathoracic pressure) decreases,

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allowing thoracic veins to slightly expand. This
causes a momentary drop in venous pressure,
venous return, cardiac output, and systemic arterial

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blood pressure. The carotid sinus reflex normally

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decreases heart rate in response to a rise in carotid

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arterial blood pressure. However, the momentary
drop in systemic arterial blood pressure during
inspiration reduces the frequency of carotid

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baroreceptor firing, causing a momentary increase
in heart rate.
When inspiratory muscles relax, resting expiration

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passively occurs. During early resting expiration,
intrathoracic pressure increases causing
compression of thoracic veins, momentarily
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increasing venous pressure and venous return. In
response, systemic venous baroreceptors reflexively
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increase heart rate. However, the slight increase in
heart rate is temporary because it increases cardiac
output and systemic arterial blood pressure, which
increases carotid baroreceptor firing causing heart
rate to decrease.
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Fig. 5.3 Effects of the Resting Respiratory Cycle on Heart Rate

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The average resting heart rate for adults is between 60-80 beats/min. (Average 70 bpm for males and 75
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bpm for females.) Slower heart rates are typically found in individuals who regularly exercise. Athletes are
able to pump enough blood to meet the demands of the body with resting heart rates as low as 50
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beats/min. Athletes tend to develop larger hearts, especially the muscle in the left ventricle—a condition
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known as “left ventricular hypertrophy.” Because athletes (usually) have larger and more efficient hearts,
their ECGs may exhibit differences other than average resting heart rate. For instance, low heart rate and
hypertrophy exhibited in sedentary individuals can be an indication of failing hearts but these changes are
“normal” for well-trained athletes.
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Because ECGs are widely used, basic elements have been standardized to simplify reading
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ECGs. ECGs have standardized grids of lighter, smaller squares and, superimposed on the
first grid, a second grid of darker and larger squares (Fig. 5.4). The smaller grid always has
time units of 0.04 seconds on the x-axis and the darker vertical lines are spaced 0.2 seconds
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apart. The horizontal lines represent amplitude in mV. The lighter horizontal lines are 0.1
mV apart and the darker grid lines represent 0.5 mV. In this lesson, you will record the ECG
under four conditions.
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Fig. 5.4 standard ECG Grid

 Richard Pflanzer, Ph.D.
Biopac Student Lab® Lesson 5 Associate Professor Emeritus
Indiana University School of Medicine
ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY (ECG) I Purdue University School of Science
42 Aero Camino, Goleta, CA 93117 Procedure (MP41)
Rev. 08102020 William McMullen
www.biopac.com Vice President, BIOPAC Systems, Inc.

II. EXPERIMENTAL OBJECTIVES

1) To become familiar with the electrocardiograph as a primary tool for evaluating electrical events within the
heart.
2) To correlate electrical events as displayed on the ECG with the mechanical events that occur during the cardiac

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cycle.
3) To observe rate and rhythm changes in the ECG associated with body position and breathing.

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III. MATERIALS

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• BIOPAC Electrode Lead Set for MP41 (40EL)

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• BIOPAC Disposable Electrodes (EL503), this lesson requires 3 electrodes
• Mat, cot or lab table and pillow for Supine position

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• Biopac Student Lab System: BSL 4 software, MP41 hardware
• Computer System (Windows or Mac)

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• Watch with second hand, stopwatch, or smartphone with timer
IV. EXPERIMENTAL METHODS
A. SETUP V
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FAST TRACK Setup Detailed Explanation of Setup Steps

1. Set the MP41 dial to OFF.

2. Plug the equipment in as follows:
• Electrode leads (40EL) → MP41
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• MP41 → computer USB port

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Fig. 5.5 MP41 hardware connections

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3. Apply electrodes to clean skin (lotions, Remove any jewelry on or near the electrode sites. Apply electrodes
makeup and other skin products should be to clean skin.
removed). Place one electrode on the medial surface of each leg, just above the
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4. Attach three electrodes as shown in Fig. ankle. Place the third electrode on the right anterior forearm at the
5.6. wrist (same side of arm as the palm of hand).
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For optimal electrode contact, place electrodes on skin at least 5

minutes before start of Calibration.

Setup continues…

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Page P-2 L05 – Electrocardiography (ECG) I (MP41) Biopac Student Lab 4

5. Clip the Electrode Lead Set (40EL) to the

electrodes following the color code
(Fig. 5.6).
6. RIGHT forearm = WHITE lead
7. RIGHT leg = BLACK lead (ground)
8. LEFT leg = RED lead

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Fig. 5.6 Lead II Setup

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The pinch connectors work like a small clothespin, but will only latch
onto the nipple of the electrode from one side of the connector.
9. Start the BIOPAC Student Lab program.

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Start Biopac Student Lab by double-clicking the Desktop shortcut.
10. Choose lesson “L05 -
Electrocardiography (ECG) I” and click

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OK.
11. Type in a unique filename and click OK.

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12. Optional: Set Preferences.
Choose File > Lesson Preferences. A folder will be created using the filename. This same filename can be
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used in other lessons to place your data in a common folder.
• Select an option.
This lesson has optional Preferences for data and display while
• Select the desired setting and click recording. Per your Lab Instructor’s guidelines, you may set:
OK.
Grids: Show or hide gridlines
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Recording Length: Duration of recording can be set from 30 seconds

to 30 minutes. 30 minutes is the default setting.
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END OF SETUP
©BIOPAC Systems, Inc. L05 – Electrocardiography (ECG) I (MP41) Page P-3

B. MP41 CHECK & SIGNAL CHECK

The MP41 Check and Signal Check establishes the hardware’s internal parameters (such as gain, offset, and scaling) and is
critical for optimal performance. This check must be performed prior to running the lesson, with electrodes connected and the
MP41 dial set to the specified position.

FAST TRACK Calibration Detailed Explanation of Calibration Steps

MP41 Check

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1. Set the MP41 dial to ECG/EOG.

2. Press and hold the Check pad on the

MP41.

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3. Click when the light is

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flashing.
4. Wait for the MP41 check to stop.

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5. Let go of the Check pad. Figure 5.7 MP41 Check prompt
6. Click Continue.

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Continue to hold the pad down until prompted to let go.
The MP41 check procedure will last five seconds.
The light should stop flashing when the Check pad is released.
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Signal Check

1. Click .
2. Wait for the Signal Check to stop (8 sec).
3. Review the data.
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4. Verify recording resembles the example The eight-second Signal Check recording should resemble Fig.5.8.
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data. There should be a recognizable ECG waveform with a baseline at or

• If similar, click Continue and proceed near 0 mV, little EMG artifact and no large baseline drift.
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to Data Recording.

• If necessary, click
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.
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Fig. 5.8 Example Calibration data

If recording does not resemble the Example Data

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▪ If the data is noisy or flatline, check all connections to the MP unit.

▪ If the ECG displays baseline drift or excessive EMG artifact:
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o Verify electrodes are making good contact with the skin and
that the leads are not pulling on the electrodes.
o Make sure you are in a relaxed position.
Click Redo Signal Check and repeat Steps 1 – 3 if necessary.

END OF MP41 SIGNAL CHECK

Page P-4 L05 – Electrocardiography (ECG) I (MP41) Biopac Student Lab 4

C. DATA RECORDING
FAST TRACK Recording Detailed Explanation of Recording Steps
1. Prepare for the recording. You will record ECG under the following conditions:
• Review recording steps before • Supine (20 seconds)
proceeding. • Seated (20 seconds)
• Before clicking Record, set timer alarm • Deep breathing
on smartphone for 20 seconds.
• After exercise (60 seconds)

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To work efficiently, read this entire section before recording, or review
onscreen Tasks to preview recording steps in advance.

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NOTE: This lesson works best if a second person assists the participant

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by inserting event markers and giving cues when each recording interval
is completed. If no assistant is available, a solo participant keep track of

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the recording intervals by setting the timer function on a smartphone or
other device prior to starting each recording.

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Supine (Lying Down)
2. Get in supine position (lying down, face Position the electrode cables so that they are not pulling on the

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up) and relax (Fig. 5.9). electrodes.

IMPORTANT: If recording this

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lesson alone, it is recommended that
you place your computer within easy
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reach, so you can start and stop the
recordings without changing positions.
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Fig. 5.9 Positioning (supine)

3. Remain supine and relaxed, with eyes If performing lesson alone using a desktop computer, it will be
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closed. necessary to click Record before getting into supine position and
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Suspend after getting up from supine position. In this case disregard the
4. Start timer and click Record.
first and last 10 seconds of recorded data, as these portions will show
5. When the timer alarm sounds after 20 movement artifact. Be sure to allow extra time to acquire at least 20
seconds, click Suspend. seconds of good uninterrupted supine data.
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6. Verify recording resembles the example The ECG waveform should have a baseline at or near 0 mV and should
data.
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not display large baseline drifts or significant EMG artifact. The Heart
• If similar, proceed to next recording. Rate (BPM) data will not be accurate until after the first two cardiac
(ECG) cycles after which there should not be sporadic variations that
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• If necessary, click Redo. go out of the visible range.

• If all required recordings have been
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completed, click Done.

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Fig. 5.10 Example Supine data

Recording continues…
©BIOPAC Systems, Inc. L05 – Electrocardiography (ECG) I (MP41) Page P-5

If recording does not resemble the Example Data

▪ If the data is noisy or flatline, check all connections to the MP unit.
▪ If the ECG displays excessive baseline drift or EMG artifact, or if
the Heart Rate (BPM) data shows sporadic values:
o Verify electrodes are making good contact with the skin and
that the leads are not pulling on the electrodes.
o Make sure you are in a relaxed position.
Click Redo and repeat Steps 1 – 6 if necessary. Note that once Redo is

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clicked, the most recent recording will be erased.
Seated
• Review recording steps. Sit with arms relaxed at side of body and hands apart in lap, with legs

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• Watch example video in software. flexed at knee and feet supported for seconds 21 – 40.

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7. Before clicking Resume, set timer alarm
on smartphone for 20 seconds.
8. Get up quickly and then settle into a seated

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position (Fig. 5.11).

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IMPORTANT: If recording this
lesson alone, place the computer
within easy reach so you can click
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Record immediately after getting
into seated position.
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Fig. 5.11 Positioning (seated)

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9. Once you are seated and still, start the In order to capture the heart rate variation, click Record as quickly as
timer and click Resume. possible after sitting down.
10. When the timer alarm sounds after 20 Remain seated, relaxed, and breathing normally.
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seconds, click Suspend.

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11. Verify recording resembles the example

data.
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• If similar, proceed to the next

recording.
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Fig. 5.12 Example Seated data

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• If necessary, click Redo. The data description is the same as outlined in Step 6.
• If all required recordings have been Click Redo if necessary. You must return to the Supine position for at
completed, click Done. least 5 minutes before repeating Steps 7 – 11.
Note that once Redo is clicked, the most recent recording will be erased.

Recording continues…
Page P-6 L05 – Electrocardiography (ECG) I (MP41) Biopac Student Lab 4

Deep Breathing
• Review recording steps. Remain seated for this recording.
12. Click Resume.
13. Inhale and exhale slowly and completely as Note It is important to breathe with long, slow, deep breaths
possible for five prolonged (slow) breath to help minimize EMG artifact.
cycles. Label the keystroke (F9 Windows, esc Mac) event markers “Inhale” and
• Press F9 (Windows) or esc (Mac) at “Exhale.” To label an event marker during or after the recording, click

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the start of each inhale and at start of the marker to select it and enter text in the marker label region above the
each exhale. graph.
14. Click Suspend.

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15. Verify recording resembles the example

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data.

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• If similar, proceed to the next
recording.

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Fig. 5.13 Example Deep Breathing data

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• If necessary, click Redo. The data description is the same as outlined in Step 6 with the following
• If all required recordings have been exception:
▪ The ECG data may exhibit some baseline drift during deep
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completed, click Done.
breathing which is normal and unless excessive, does not
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necessitate Redo.
Click Redo and repeat Steps 12 – 15 if necessary. Note that once Redo is
clicked, the most recent recording will be erased.
After exercise
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• Review recording steps. Perform an exercise to elevate your heart rate fairly rapidly, such as
• Watch example video in software. running up stairs, push-ups, or jumping-jacks.
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16. Before clicking Resume, set timer alarm Note You may remove the electrode cable pinch connectors so that
on smartphone for 60 seconds. you can move freely, but do not remove the electrodes.
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17. Exercise to elevate heart rate. If you do remove the cable pinch connectors, you must
reattach them following the precise color placement in Fig. 5.6
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• If electrode leads were unclipped, prior to clicking Resume.

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clip them back on.

When seated, your arms must be relaxed and at sides of body, with arms
• Following exercise, sit down and relaxed and feet supported.
relax.
In order to capture the heart rate variation, it is important that you
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resume recording as quickly as possible after performing the exercise.

However, it is also important that you do not click Resume while
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exercising, or you will capture motion artifact.

18. Once you are seated and still, start the
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timer and click Resume.

19. When the timer alarm sounds after 60
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seconds, click Suspend.

20. Verify recording resembles the example
data.
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Fig. 5.14 Example After Exercise data

• If similar, proceed to optional The data description is the same as outlined in Step 6, with the following
recording section, or click Done if exception:
finished. ▪ The ECG data may exhibit some baseline drift which is normal
• If necessary, click Redo. and unless excessive, does not necessitate Redo.
▪ Click Redo and repeat Steps 16 – 20 if necessary. Note that once
Redo is clicked, the most recent recording will be erased.
Recording continues…
©BIOPAC Systems, Inc. L05 – Electrocardiography (ECG) I (MP41) Page P-7

OPTIONAL ACTIVE LEARNING PORTION With this lesson you may record additional data segments by clicking
Resume following the last recording segment. Design an experiment
to test or verify a scientific principle(s) related to topics covered in this
lesson. Although you are limited to this lesson’s channel assignments,
the electrodes may be moved to different physical locations.
Design Your Experiment
Use a separate sheet to detail your experiment design, and be sure to
address these main points:

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A. Hypothesis
Describe the scientific principle to be tested or verified.
B. Materials

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List the materials you will use to complete your investigation.

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C. Method

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Describe the experimental procedure—be sure to number each step
to make it easy to follow during recording.
Run Your Experiment

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D. Set Up
Set up the equipment and prepare for your experiment.

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E. Record
Use the Resume and Suspend buttons to record as many segments

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Click Done when you have completed all of the segments required
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for your experiment.
Analyze Your Experiment
F. Set measurements relevant to your experiment and record the
results in a Data Report.
If choosing the Record from another Subject option:
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21. After clicking Done, choose an option and

click OK. ▪ Repeat Setup Steps 6 – 9, and then proceed to Signal Check.
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22. Remove the electrodes. Remove the electrode cable pinch connectors and peel off all electrodes.
Discard the electrodes. (BIOPAC electrodes are not reusable.) Wash the
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electrode gel residue from the skin, using soap and water. The electrodes
may leave a slight ring on the skin for a few hours which is quite normal.
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END OF RECORDING
Page P-8 L05 – Electrocardiography (ECG) I (MP41) Biopac Student Lab 4

V. DATA ANALYSIS
In this section, you will examine ECG components of cardiac cycles and measure amplitudes (mV) and durations (msecs) of
the ECG components.
Note: Interpreting ECGs is a skill that requires practice to distinguish between normal variation and those arising from
medical conditions. Do not be alarmed if your ECG is different than the normal values and references in the Introduction.

FAST TRACK Data Analysis Detailed Explanation of Data Analysis Steps

1. Enter the Review Saved Data mode. If entering Review Saved Data mode from the Startup dialog or lessons

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menu, make sure to choose the correct file.
• Note Channel Number (CH)
designation:

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CH 1 ECG Raw (hidden)
CH 2 Heart Rate

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CH 40 ECG

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• Set the measurement boxes as
follows:

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Channel Measurement
CH 2 Value Fig. 5.15 Example data
CH 40 Delta T The measurement boxes are above the marker region in the data window.
CH 40 P-P
CH 40 BPM
V Each measurement has three sections: channel number, measurement
type, and result. The first two sections are pull-down menus that are
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activated when you click them.
Note Measurements will be taken on the ECG
channel. To see the average heart rate, select an Brief definition of measurements:
area and measure Mean on CH 2, Rate. Value: Displays the amplitude value at the point selected by the I-
beam cursor. If an area is selected, displays the value of the endpoint
U OR

based on the direction the cursor was dragged.

▪ CH 2 heart rate data is only updated at the end of an R-R interval
N

so it remains constant within an R-R interval; therefore, the Value

(BPM) measurement will be accurate from any selected point in
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the R-R interval.

▪ Single point Values will be shown when placing the Arrow
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cursor over the data while holding down the left mouse button.
Delta T: Displays the amount of time in the selected area (the
difference in time between the endpoints of the selected area).
P-P (Peak-to-Peak): Subtracts the minimum value from the maximum
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value found in the selected area.

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BPM: Beats Per Minute measurement first calculates the difference in

time between the beginning and end of the selected area
(seconds/beat,) and divides this value into 60 seconds/minute.
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The “selected area” is the area selected by the I-beam tool (including
endpoints).
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Textual notes (such as identifying components of the ECG wave) can be

inserted into the graph by using the Annotation tool. This tool will place
a small editable text box anywhere in the waveform.
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Data Analysis continues…

©BIOPAC Systems, Inc. L05 – Electrocardiography (ECG) I (MP41) Page P-9

2. Set up your display window for optimal

viewing of three complete cardiac cycles
from the initial “Supine” segment.
NOTE: For accurate BPM data go past the first
two cardiac cycles.

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Fig. 5.16 Zoom in on “Supine” data

IB N
Note: The append event markers mark the beginning of each

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recording. Click (activate) the event marker to display its label.

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Useful tools for changing view:
Display menu: Autoscale Horizontal, Autoscale Waveforms, Zoom
Back, Zoom Forward

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Scroll Bars: Time (Horizontal); Amplitude (Vertical)
Cursor Tools: Zoom Tool

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Buttons: Overlap, Split, Adjust Baseline (Up, Down,) Show Grid, Hide
Grid, Copy Graph, -, +
Hide/Show Channel: “Alt + click” (Windows) or “Option + click” (Mac)
V the channel number box to toggle channel display.
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The Heart Rate
channel is
updated at the
end of each R-R
interval, so it will
initially appear
“out of sync,” or
U OR

delayed by one
interval. (See Fig.
N

5.18 for
illustration.)
Fig. 5.17 Overlap sample: Heart Rate and ECG after supine subject is seated
IB F

Adjust Baseline allows you to position the waveform up or down in

small increments so that the baseline (isoelectric line) can be exactly
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zero. After Adjust Baseline is pressed, Up and Down buttons are

generated. Simply click these to move the waveform up or down. This is
not needed to get accurate amplitude measurements, but may be desired
before making a printout, or when using grids.
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3. For measuring heart rate, use the cursor to Note that the CH 2 Value measurement displays the BPM for the interval
M

select any data point within an R-R interval. preceding the current R-R interval.
A Follow the examples shown above to complete all the measurements
required for the Data Report.
SA

4. Take measurements within two other R-R

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intervals in the current segment.

A
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5. Repeat measurements on the other

segments as required for the Data Report.
A

Data Analysis continues…

Fig. 5.18 Data point selection for Heart Rate data correlated to ECG data
Page P-10 L05 – Electrocardiography (ECG) I (MP41) Biopac Student Lab 4

6. Hide CH 2. The remaining measurements use ECG data only. To hide Heart Rate
7. Zoom in on a single cardiac cycle from data display and focus on ECG data, Alt + click (Windows) or Option +
“Supine” segment. click (Mac) the “2” channel number box.
8. Measure Ventricular Systole and Diastole. For Ventricular Systole and Diastole measurements, the T wave reference
point for the selected area is 1/3 of the way down the descending portion
B of the T wave; if necessary, see Fig. 5.2 and Table 5.1 in the Introduction
PDF for selected area details.
9. Repeat measurements for “After exercise” Measurement data starts at the append event marker labeled “After

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segment. exercise.”
B
10. Zoom in on a single cardiac cycle

IB N
from “Supine” segment.

ED
H O
11. Use the I-Beam cursor to select segments Select the components of the ECG as specified in the Introduction and
and measure the durations and wave gather wave amplitude data for 3 cycles using the P-P measurement. If
amplitudes required for the Data Report. necessary, see Fig. 5.2 and Table 5.1 in the Introduction for selected area

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Use P-P measurement to obtain amplitudes. details.

C

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V
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Fig. 5.19 Measuring P wave duration (Delta T) and amplitude (P-P)

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N
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Fig. 5.20 Selection of P-R Interval

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12. Zoom in on a single cardiac cycle Follow the examples shown above to complete all the measurements
from “After exercise” segment. required for your Data Report.
M

13. Repeat duration and amplitude (P-P)

measurements using “After exercise” data
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as required for the Data Report.

C
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Data Analysis continues…

©BIOPAC Systems, Inc. L05 – Electrocardiography (ECG) I (MP41) Page P-11

14. OPTIONAL: Using the Annotation tool,

Use the Annotation Tool to insert text boxes into the graph
insert text boxes identifying the ECG identifying the ECG components in the selected portion, and then drag
components in the selected area. Copy and
them to their correct locations within the ECG waveform.
paste this graph to the Data Report at the
end of Section C.

I T LY
IB N
ED
H O
Fig 5.21 Example of ECG Component Annotations

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▪ Use the Copy Graph button to copy the selected area.
▪ Use the contextual menu in the Journal to paste the graph into the
Data Report.

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15. Answer the questions at the end of the Data Complete the Data Report immediately following this Data Analysis
Report. section. You may save the data, save notes that are in the journal, or print
V
16. Save or Print the data file. the data file.
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17. Quit the program.
18. Set the MP41 dial to Off.
U OR
N
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END OF DATA ANALYSIS

END OF LESSON 5
Complete the Lesson 5 Data Report that follows.
Page P-12 L05 – Electrocardiography (ECG) I (MP41) Biopac Student Lab 4

ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY I
• ECG I

DATA REPORT
Student’s Name:
Lab Section:
Date:

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I. Data and Calculations
Subject Profile
Name: Height:

IB N
ED
Age: Gender: Male / Female Weight:

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A. Heart Rate
Complete the following tables with the lesson data indicated, and calculate the Mean as appropriate.

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Table 5.2
Cardiac Cycle Mean
Recording: Condition
1 2 3 (calculate)

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Supine
Seated
Start of inhale
Start of exhale
After exercise V
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B. Ventricular Systole and Diastole
Table 5.3

Condition Duration (ms)

Ventricular Systole Ventricular Diastole
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Supine
After exercise
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C. Components of the ECG

Table 5.4
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Condition: Supine Recording (measurements taken from 3 cardiac cycles)

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Duration (ms) Amplitude (mV)

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ECG Normative Values

Based on resting heart
Component rate 75 BPM 1 2 3 Mean (calc) 1 2 3 Mean (calc)
Waves Dur. (sec) Amp. (mV)
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P .07 - .18 < .20

QRS Complex .06 - .12 .10 – 1.5
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T .10 - .25 < .5

Intervals Duration (seconds)
P-R .12 - .20
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Q-T .32 - .36

R-R .80
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Segments Duration (seconds)

P-R .02 - .10
S-T < .20
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T-P 0 - .40
©BIOPAC Systems, Inc. L05 – Electrocardiography (ECG) I (MP41) Page P-13

Table 5.5
Condition: After Exercise Recording (measurements taken from 1 cardiac cycle)
Normative Duration (ms) Amplitude (mV)
ECG Values
Component Based on resting
heart rate 75 BPM
Waves Dur. (sec) Amp. (mV)
P .07 - .18 < .20
QRS Complex .06 - .12 .10 – 1.5
T .10 - .25 < .5

I T LY
Intervals Duration (seconds)
P-R .12 - .20
Q-T .32 - .36
R-R .80

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ED
Segments Duration (seconds)
P-R .02 - .10

H O
S-T < .20
T-P 0 - .40

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Note Interpreting ECGs is a skill that requires practice to distinguish between normal variation and those arising from
medical conditions. Do not be alarmed if your ECG does not match the “Normative Values.”

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II. Questions
D. Using data from table 5.2:
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1) Explain the changes in heart rate between conditions. Describe the physiological mechanisms causing these
changes.
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N
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2) Are there differences in the cardiac cycle with the respiratory cycle (“Start of inhale-exhale” data)?
P
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E. Using data from table 5.3:

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1) What changes occurred in the duration of systole and diastole between resting and post-exercise?
IS
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F. Using data from tables 5.4 and 5.5:

1) Compared to the resting state, do the durations of the ECG intervals and segments decrease during exercise?
Explain

2) Compare your ECG data to the normative values. Explain any differences.
Page P-14 L05 – Electrocardiography (ECG) I (MP41) Biopac Student Lab 4

3) Compare ECG data with other groups in your laboratory. Does the data differ? Explain why this may not be
unusual.

G. In order to beat, the heart needs three types of cells. Describe the cells and their function.
1) ____________________________________________________________________
2) ____________________________________________________________________
3) ____________________________________________________________________

I T LY
H. List in proper sequence, starting with the normal pacemaker, elements of the cardiac conduction system.
1) _________________________

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2) _________________________

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3) _________________________

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4) _________________________
5) _________________________

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6) _________________________
7) _________________________
8) _________________________

PR IE
I. Describe three cardiac effects of increased sympathetic activity, and of increased parasympathetic activity.
Sympathetic
V
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Parasympathetic
U OR

J. In the normal cardiac cycle, the atria contract before the ventricles. Where is this fact represented in the ECG?
N
IB F
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K. What is meant by “AV delay” and what purpose does the delay serve?
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L. What is the isoelectric line of the ECG?

M
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M. Which components of the ECG are normally measured along the isoelectric line?
IS
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©BIOPAC Systems, Inc. L05 – Electrocardiography (ECG) I (MP41) Page P-15

III. OPTIONAL Active Learning Portion

A. Hypothesis

I T LY
B. Materials

IB N
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H O
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PR IE
C. Method

V
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D. Set Up
N
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E. Experimental Results
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End of Lesson 5 Data Report

D