O tooth

The O wave is a wave that appears on the ECG after the P wave and reflects the beginning of the process of ventricular depolarization. It has the shape of a tooth and appears on the electrocardiogram at the moment when ventricular depolarization begins. The O wave is an important indicator, as it can indicate various heart diseases, such as arrhythmias, myocardial infarction and others.

The O wave, which has no synonym in Russian, is one of the cardiographic symbols that signifies the process of ventricular depolarization. It is formed as a result of the movement of an excitation wave in the conduction system of the heart, which occurs after the P wave and before the Q wave. However, it must be borne in mind that the interpretation of this symptom requires certain knowledge and experience, since its occurrence may be associated with various physiological and pathological conditions.

The O wave is an important element of the electrocardiogram (ECG), it indicates the beginning of myocardial depolarization. On the ECG it is reflected in the form of an acute positive potential, characterized by a duration of 0.04 to 0.3 seconds and an amplitude of 5 to 12 mm. Normally, this wave may appear on the ECG immediately after the disappearance of the P wave. This occurs due to the propagation of an electrical impulse from the sinus node (the place of the most frequent generation of biopotentials) and the interventricular septum, which become a source of excitation for most fibers of the heart.

The excitation wave conducts the signal through the conduction systems of the atria and ventricles to the myocardial cells. The septum between these parts of the heart is also involved in impulse transmission. As it moves, the wave causes contraction of the muscles of the myocardial wall, forming a Q wave, which turns into an S wave, and then a T wave. Then the electric waves return to the sinus node through the peripheral network of the conductive bundle, thus closing the circulation circuit.

When there is a disturbance in the system or an abnormal location and size of the sinus node, the excitation of the heart occurs irregularly, chaotically and unpredictably. Insufficient depolarization with an incorrect cycle and functional abnormalities of the myocardium can lead to serious disorders - arrhythmia and angina. Cardiac depolarization and myocardial innervation are often accompanied by conduction disturbances, changes in the shape and degree of the acute or isoelectric wave. Therefore, the absence of O waves or their presence at different frequencies indicates the presence of pathological conditions such as:

1. Decrease in heart rate, in which the heart rate decreases and myocardial function significantly worsens. 2. Inflammation of the myocardium, causing dysfunction of the heart muscle, followed by acute pain and fatigue with a pronounced decrease in the contractile function of the heart and a decrease in pressure (decrease in the pulse wave). 3. Dysfunction of the sinus node and peripheral network, as a result of which the muscles of the myocardial wall contract insufficiently and with less force, which leads to the development of inflammatory reactions.