What is ACLS? Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) teaches advanced guidelines and skills to respond to cardiovascular emergencies. It is primarily recommended for physicians, nurses, and paramedics, and teaches professionals how to respond to cardiac arrest, stroke, and other cardiac events.
This ACLS study guide is most effective for healthcare professionals that are already familiar with how to read an electrocardiogram (ECG) and administer medications. Ample practice is highly recommended prior to any ACLS training. Due to the amount of material covered in a relatively short time frame, we also advise participants to thoroughly review a pre-study guide for ACLS before taking a certification course or signing up for ACLS renewal.
To understand various heart rhythms, it is critical to have a comprehensive understanding of heart anatomy and how electrical pathways are illustrated by an ECG.
Blood enters the heart through the atria, which sends out an electrical impulse through the sinoatrial (SA) node. The impulse travels through the atria, causing contractions that appear as P waves on an ECG.
The impulse travels from the SA node to the atrioventricular (AV) node next. The AV node sends out another electrical impulse that travels through the branches and fibers of the ventricles. Contractions caused by this impulse appear on the ECG and the QRS complex.
When the ventricles rest and repolarize, this activity registers on the ECG as a T wave. The atria also experiences a rest period, but this activity cannot be seen on an ECG.
