The QRS Complex: Ventricular Depolarization — ECG Academy Lesson

Use QRS width and morphology to classify ventricular activation: measure duration, recognize narrow vs wide patterns, and escalate high-risk findings quickly.

Learning Objectives

• Explain what the QRS complex represents in ventricular conduction
• Apply Q-R-S naming rules for common QRS patterns
• Measure QRS duration and classify narrow, borderline, and wide complexes
• Recognize key wide-QRS causes: BBB, ventricular origin, paced beats, and metabolic conduction delay
• Use monitor-tech escalation language for wide-complex tachycardia and new conduction changes