Woodrow Philip
Intensive Therapy Unit, Kent & Canterbury Hospital, Kent.
Nurs Stand. 2009;24(13):48-56; quiz 58, 60. doi: 10.7748/ns2009.12.24.13.48.c7420.
Twelve-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) record 12 different views of cardiac electrical activity, thus providing more information than bedside monitors, which usually display one or sometimes two leads. Many acutely ill patients have 12-lead ECGs recorded on admission to hospital and at other times, such as pre-operatively or when there are specific cardiac concerns. ECGs have traditionally been an aid to medical diagnosis, but understanding and being able to interpret them enables nurses to summon help urgently if needed. This article describes what each of the 12 leads represents, outlines the main indications for recording 12-lead ECGs and identifies likely causes of error.
十二导联心电图（ECG）记录心脏电活动的12种不同视图，因此比床边监护仪能提供更多信息，床边监护仪通常显示一个导联，有时显示两个导联。许多急症患者在入院时以及其他时候，如术前或出现特定心脏问题时，都会进行十二导联心电图检查。传统上，心电图一直是医学诊断的辅助手段，但理解并能够解读心电图，能使护士在需要时紧急呼救。本文介绍了12个导联各自代表的意义，概述了记录十二导联心电图的主要适应证，并确定了可能的误差原因。
