1

Table of Contents
Objectives.................................................................................... 2
Background.................................................................................. 2
Methods....................................................................................... 4
Results........................................................................................4

Subject Profile: Sal Costanzo................................................................4

Subject Profile: Kyrstin Mays................................................................8
II. Questions......................................................................................12

Conclusion.................................................................................. 14

Objectives
The objective of this laboratory section is to gain an understanding of
the function and purpose of an electrocardiograph as a valuable tool for

assessing electrical events within the heart. These electrical events

correspond to mechanical actions that occur during the cardiac cycle
represented by elements within the ECG.

Background
The continuous flow of blood throughout the circulatory system
depends on the heart. Located behind the sternum, the heart is the size of a
clenched fist and consists mostly of cardiac muscle. The four chambers of
the heart are laterally separated by a muscular septum. The upper
chambers, the two atria, receive blood from the veins, and the lower
chambers, the two ventricles, pump blood into the arteries. These chambers
work in conjunction to pump oxygen-rich blood out of the heart by
contraction, creating systolic pressure, and relaxing to bring in deoxygenated
blood from the body, creating diastolic pressure. The sequence of contraction
and relaxation of the heart is known as the cardiac cycle. The flow of blood
through the heart occurs in only one direction, ensured by the four major
valves of the heart: mitral, tricuspid, aortic, and pulmonary. Specifically,
deoxygenated blood, bluish red in color, enters the heart through the vena
cava into the right atrium and continues to the right ventricle. The oxygenpoor blood is then pumped to the lungs by the pulmonary artery. As the
blood flows through capillary beds in the left and right lungs, it unloads CO2
and gains oxygen, giving blood its red color. Pulmonary veins bring the
oxygenated blood back to the heart into the left atrium, continuing to the left
ventricle, then pumped out of the heart to the body by the aorta.

The cardiac cycle is initiated by specialized pacemaker cells which

begin the electrical sequence of the heart, as seen on an ECG. The SA node
generates the electrical signal required for the depolarization of the
contractile cells of the chambers. This electrical signal spreads to the atrial
muscle causing contraction. The electrical impulse continues to the AV node
via the internodal fibers where a slight delay occurs while the atria contract.
From the AV node, the electrical signal proceeds down the Bundle of His, into
left and right branches, and into the Purkinje Fibers. Here, the ventricles then
contract creating ventricular systole.
An electrocardiogram can record these electrical signals through
electrodes placed on the surface of the skin. The placement of the electrodes
was based on a hypothetical triangle named Einthovens Triangle. They are
arranged into 2 electrodes, one of which is positive and the other is negative,
along with a third electrode that is regarded as the ground. In this laboratory,
electrodes were to be placed on the medial side of both ankles and the right
wrist. The result of the ECG is the summed electrical potentials generated by
the heart. The figure below illustrates the components of the ECG and the
corresponding mechanical events of the cardiac cycle.

There are two major components of an ECG: waves and segments.

Waves are the deflections above or below the isoelectric line. Segments are
sections of isoelectric line between two waves. And intervals are
combinations of waves and segments. The three major waves on a normal

ECG are P wave, which corresponds to depolarization of the atria; QRS

complex, which represents the progressive wave of ventricular
depolarization; T wave, which represents the repolarization of the ventricles.

Methods
The materials needed for this experiments include BIOPAC Electrode
Lead set (SS2L), BIOPAC Disposable Electrodes (EL503), BIOPAC Electrode Gel
(GEL1) and Abrasive Pad (ELPAD) or Skin cleanser or alcohol prep, a foldable
chair (for supine position), and BIOPAC Student Lab System. They are used to
obtain the recordings of ECG on one subject in different conditions, for
example, supine position, sitting position, deep breath including slow
inhalation and slow exhalation, and after strenuous exercise. Then for graph
recorded in each situation, gather measurements of the graph like
amplitude, delta T (the difference in time between the endpoints of the
selected area) and peak-to-peak (p-p, difference between the minimum
value and the maximum value found in the selected area) perform data
analysis on those recordings.

Results
I. Data and Calculations
Subject Profile: Sal Costanzo
Height: 59
Weight: 185
Age: 26
Gender: Male
Note: This Data Report assumes that all lesson recordings were performed,
which may not be the case for your lab. Please disregard any references to
excluded recordings.
A. Heart Rate
Complete the following tables with the lesson data indicated, and
calculate the Mean as appropriate;
Table 5.2

Cardiac Cycle
Mean
calculate)

Condition
1
2
Supine
Seated
Start of inhale
Start of exhale
After exercise

3
76.336

74.349

83.682

78.12

89.419

90.09

84.986

88.17

87.719

81.301

96.618

88.5

96

84.986

99.834

93.61

114.29

96.774

96.154

102.41

B: Ventricular Systole and Diastole

Table 5.3

Duration (ms)
Condition
Ventricular Systole

Ventricular Diastole

Supine

0.274

0.55

After exercise

0.23

0.418

C: Components of the ECG

Table 5.4
Condition: Supine Recording (Duration measurements taken from
3 cardiac cycles)
Normati
ve
Value
ECG
Compone
nt

Duration (ms)

Based on
resting
heart rate
75 BPM
1

Mean
(calc)

Waves

Duration
(seconds
)

.07 - .18

0.109

0.104

0.1

0.104

QRS
Complex

.06 - .12

0.118

0.123

0.118

0.120

.10 - .25

0.213

0.209

0.19

0.204

Intervals

Duration
(seconds
)

P-R
Q-T
R-R

.12 - .20
.32 - .36
0.8

0.222
0.36
0.733

0.227
0.355
0.719

0.227
0.369
0.705

0.225
0.361
0.719

Segments

Duration
(seconds
)

P-R
S-T
T-P

.02 - .10

0.133

0.124

< .20

0.127

0.114

0 - .40

0.204

0.189

0.137
0.114
0.179

0.131
0.118
0.191

Table 5.4a
Condition: Supine Recording (Amplitude measurements taken
from 3 cardiac cycles)
Normati
ve
Value
ECG
Compone
nt

Amplitude (mV)

Based on
resting
heart rate
75 BPM
1

Mean
(calc)

Waves

Amplitud
e (mV)

.07 - .18

0.14099

0.13184

0.1474

0.140

QRS
Complex

.06 - .12

1.2927

1.2625

1.2903

1.282

.10 - .25

0.23315

0.21545

0.19836

0.216

Table 5.5
Condition: After Exercise (measurements taken from 1 cardiac cycle)

ECG
Component

Normative Values

Duration
(ms)

Amplitude
(mV)

Based on resting heart rate

75 BPM

Waves

Duration (sec) Amplitude

(mV)

.07 - .18

< .20

0.091

0.13702

QRS Complex

.06 - .12

.10 1.5

0.12

1.0223

.10 - .25

< .5

0.155

0.18341

Intervals

Duration (seconds)

P-R

.12 - .20

0.197

Q-T

.32 - .36

0.304

R-R

.80

0.593

Segments

Duration (seconds)

P-R

.02 - .10

0.115

S-T

< .20

0.051

T-P

0 - .40

0.136

I. Data and Calculations

Subject Profile: Kyrstin Mays

Note: This Data Report assumes that all lesson recordings were performed,
which may not be the case for your lab. Please disregard any references to
excluded recordings.
A. Heart Rate
Complete the following tables with the lesson data indicated, and
calculate the Mean as appropriate;
Table 5.2
Mean

Cardiac Cycle
Conditio
n

(calculate)
1

3
Supine

71.942

69.204

66.225

Seated

88.106

88.626

79.051

69.12366
667
85.261

Start of
inhale

105.08

98.2

85.349

96.20966
667

Start of
exhale

69.606

59.642

67.644

65.63066
667

After
exercise

117.88

122.95

121.21

120.68

B: Ventricular Systole and Diastole

Table 5.3
Duration (ms)
Condition
Ventricular Systole

Ventricular Diastole

Supine

0.272

0.581

After exercise

0.265

0.588

C: Components of the ECG

Table 5.4
QRS
Complex

.06 - .12

0.099

0.132

0.114

0.115

.10 - .25

0.151

0.129

0.136

0.139

Intervals

Duration
(seconds
)

P-R
Q-T
R-R

.12 - .20
.32 - .36
0.8

0.187
0.36
0.853

0.198
0.349
0.809

0.199
0.353
0.772

0.195
0.354
0.811

Segments

Duration
(seconds
)

P-R

.02 - .10

0.088

0.029

0.037

0.051

< .20

0.158

0.129

0 - .40

0.345

0.305

S-T
T-P

0.129
0.265

0.139
0.305

Table 5.4a
Condition: Supine Recording (Amplitude measurements taken
from 3 cardiac cycles)
Normativ
e Value
ECG
Compone
nt

Based on
resting
heart
rate 75
BPM

Amplitude (mV)

Mean
(calc)

Waves

Amplitud
e (mV)

.07 - .18

0.141

0.155

0.158

0.151

QRS
Complex

.06 - .12

1.041

1.011

1.034

1.029

.10 - .25

0.204

0.201

0.199

0.201

Table 5.5
Condition: After Exercise (measurements taken from 1 cardiac cycle)

ECG
Component

Waves

Normative Values
Based on resting heart rate
75 BPM
Duration (sec) Amplitude
(mV)

Duration
(ms)

Amplitude
(mV)

.07 - .18

< .20

0.085

0.21973

QRS Complex

.06 - .12

.10 1.5

0.088

0.92865

.10 - .25

< .5

0.103

0.13611

Intervals

Duration (seconds)

P-R

.12 - .20

0.151

Q-T

.32 - .36

0.268

R-R

.80

0.499

Segments

Duration (seconds)

P-R

.02 - .10

0.082

S-T

< .20

0.105

T-P

0 - .40

0.1

II. Questions
D. Using data from table 5.2:
1) Explain the changes in heart rate between conditions. Describe the
physiological mechanisms causing these changes.
The data from these tables illustrates that the changes of positions
results in a shorter cardiac cycle and thus a higher BPM, from supine to
sitting as well as inhalation and post exercise. Sitting, inhalation, or
exercise places additional pressure on the heart resulting in additional
demand of bodily systems, and thus an increase in blood pressure and
heart rate to meet demands.
2) Are there differences in the cardiac cycle with the respiratory cycle
(recording 3 data)?
Yes, it can be seen that the heart rate increases with inhalation and
decreases with exhalation.

E. Using data from table 5.3:

What changes occurred in the duration of systole and diastole between
resting and post exercise?
The duration of both the systole and diastole decreases after exercise,
corresponding to a shorter cardiac cycle and higher BPM.
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:
It can be seen that all ECG intervals are of shorter duration after exercise
when compared to the supine recordings for both subjects
2) Compare your ECG data to the normative values. Explain any
differences.
Most data fell within normal ranges, however, Sals data appeared to
be on the higher range. Sal likes to gym. He is in shape. Maybe not.
However, being in cardiovascular shape may correspond to a longer
cardiac cycle. Any errors may be attributed to user error while
transferring data values.
3) Compare ECG data with other groups in your laboratory. Do their data
differ? Explain why this may not be unusual.
Our subjects data were similar and congruent with example data
ranges and ECG shape
G. In order to beat, the heart needs three types of cells. Describe the cells
and their function.
1. Cardiomyocytesthey make up the chambers, atria and
ventricles, of the heart.
2. Myocardial contractile cellsthey fire action potentials.
3. Myocardial autorhythmic cellsthey generate action potentials
spontaneously in the absence of input from the nervous system,
they act as pacemaker cells.
H. List in proper sequence, starting with the normal pacemaker, elements of
the cardiac conduction system.
a. Sinoatrial node, intermodal and interatrial bands, atrioventricular
node, common AV bundle, right and left bundle branches, and
Purkinje Fibers. The first figure in the background shows the
mechanism.
I. Describe three cardiac effects of increased sympathetic activity, and of
increased parasympathetic activity.
a. Sympatheticincrease the heart rate; sinus tachycardia
b. Parasympatheticdecrease the heart rate; sinus bradycardia

J. In the normal cardiac cycle, the atria contract before the ventricles. Where
is this fact represented in the ECG?
a. The P wave shows the depolarization occurred with SA node,
and later contracts atria.
K. What is meant by AV delay and what purpose does the delay serve?
a. AV delay is the delay in transmission of impulse generated in
SA node and passed to AV node. This delay allows the atria to
empty their content into ventricles before ventricular systole
begins.
L. What is the isoelectric line of the ECG?
a. Isoelectric line is the baseline of the ECG, recorded in the TP
interval during rhythms with P waves. It is a point of departure of
the electrical event of depolarization and repolarization of the
cardiac cycle. It indicates periods when the ECG electrodes did
not detect electrical activity.
M. Which components of the ECG are normally measured along the
isoelectric line?
a. Segments including P-R, S-T, T-P segments are measured along
the isoelectric line.

Conclusion
This experiment provides an insight on the mechanism of measuring
electrocardiograph through BIOPAC software and its components. Using
surface electrodes, ECG can be measured and further show the contraction
and relaxation in a cardiac cycle. Cardiac cycles in different situation with
various conditions are different because the heart rate changes. ECG also
shows different components such as P, T waves, QRS complex, segments,
and intervals in a cardiac cycle. By comparing the duration of each
component in resting position and post exercise, further information can be

extracted, for example, abnormal cardiac functions, sinus arrhythmia,

bradycardia, and tachycardia.