Sinus brady

Q; Which EKG findings confirm the sinus node origin of bradycardia (sinus bradycardia)?

Answer:  A quick glance at the following 2 findings on EKG confirm the sinus bradycardia

• an upright P wave in leads I, II, and aVL, and 
• a negative P wave in lead aVR

Although this is a very basic teaching pearl but an essential one to rule out other causes of bradyarrhythmia - a common scenario in ICU.

#cardiology

Reference:

Kadish AH, Buxton AE, Kennedy HL, et al. ACC/AHA clinical competence statement on electrocardiography and ambulatory electrocardiography. A report of the ACC/AHA/ACP-ASIM Task Force on Clinical Competence (ACC/AHA Committee to Develop a Clinical Competence Statement on Electrocardiography and Ambulatory Electrocardiography). J Am Coll Cardiol 2001; 38:2091.