EKG Interpretation Course Description
Course Credits: Earn up to 16.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ and AAFP Prescribed Credits.
Course Price: $1,495
EKG Interpretation is a two-day course.
The first section of this CME course will focus on evaluating the EKG, including intervals, waves, hypertrophy, heart blocks, and infarction patterns. The second section will apply these principles to the interpretation and evaluation of the EKG and its relationship to clinical abnormalities such as pericarditis, electrolyte effects, technical problems, lead reversal, and errors in the EKG tracing. The third section will include unknown EKGs and interactive clinical case discussions. This course assumes the learner understands the basics of EKGs. However, brief reviews will ‘‘refresh’’ concepts for each topic, and the discussion will be more in-depth.
By the end of this activity, the participant should be better able to:
- Compute the mathematical evaluation of the resting EKG, e.g., rates, interval lengths (blocks), QRS vectors (axis), etc.
- Identify EKG abnormalities and review proper treatment and management.
- Correctly interpret composite EKG findings and relate to clinical situations.
- Analyze cardiac arrhythmias and summarize the proper treatment.
- Differentiate non-pathologic from pathologic abnormalities frequently seen on the EKG, e.g., lead reversal, technical errors.
2025 Course Accreditation
The Texas Academy of Family Physicians designates this live activity for a maximum of 16.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
The AAFP has reviewed EKG Interpretation and deemed it acceptable for up to 16.00 Live AAFP Prescribed credits. Term of Approval is from 07/19/2025 to 07/20/2025. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Learn more about our accreditation.
7:30 - 8 a.m.
- Registration and breakfast
Day One
8 - 10 a.m. — 2 CME credits
Introduction, History, and Principles of EKG
- Review the principles of EKG, including cardiac conduction, cardiac waveforms, and cardiac intervals.
EKG Machine and Printout (including Errors and Lead Placement)
- Define the normal cardiac conduction and correlate EKG waveforms.
- Calculate the EKG intervals and correlate with cardiac physiology.
- Utilize the criteria for RVH, LVH, RAH, and LAH.
EKG Calculations and Definitions (including Heart Rate)
- Recognize the pathophysiologic EKG findings of myocardial infarction.
- Describe the expected changes in pericarditis and electrolyte abnormalities.
- Review the clinical indications for administering and interpreting EKG findings.
- Appropriately analyze EKG findings.
10 – 10:15 a.m. — Break
10:15 a.m. – 12 p.m. — 1.75 CME Credits
Waveforms (P Q R T U Osborn J Wave, Delta Wave, Epsilon Wave)
- Review and practice reading waveforms from an EKG reading.
Axis (including Practice Examples Starting to Outline Sequence and Review Format)
- Review the EKG analysis axis, which gives the average force vector from the ventricular contraction of the heart.
- Review the axis measurement in normal and abnormal EKG findings.
Hypertrophy (including Practice Examples)
- Review various types of cardiovascular hypertrophy.
- Specifically, review EKGs with various types of hypertrophy and how EKG alone should not be used exclusively for a cardiovascular hypertrophy diagnosis.
Heart Blocks (including Practice Examples)
- Review the EKG findings that show heart blocks and appropriately assess those benign blocks and those that are not.
12 – 1 p.m. — Lunch
1 – 3:15 p.m. — 2.25 CME Credits
Example EKG Tracings (Combining Axis, Hypertrophy, and Heart Blocks)
- Review actual EKG tracings for proper interpretation skills.
Electrolyte Abnormalities
- Review ST segments and tracings to help diagnose electrolyte issues.
Intervals (PR, interval PR segment QT prolongation)
- Accurately interpret EKGs through the wave forms and intervals
Ischemia and Infarction (including Anatomical Correlation, PCI & Special Leads, Practice Tracings)
- Recognize how infarctions show up on an EKG tracing.
- Assess the age and location of infarction with EKG findings.
- Review actual EKG tracings for proper interpretation skills.
- Review ST segments and tracings to help diagnose ischemia, digitalis, and infarction.
3:15 – 3:30 p.m. — Break
3:30 – 5:30 p.m. — 2 CME Credits
Arrhythmias (Supraventricular, Ventricular, including ACLS Protocol & Updates)
- Review EKG tracings, which show various types of arrhythmias, including bradycardia, tachycardia, bigeminy, atrial/ventricular fibrillation, flutter, Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, ventricular arrhythmia, and Torsade’s de Pointes.
Pacemakers and ICD
- Recognize different types of paced rhythms on the EKG waveform and how pacemaker malfunctions appear on an EKG.
Longer-Term Rhythm Monitoring (including Holter & Event Recorders)
- Assess the indications, setting, and technique for using a Holter monitor.
- Appropriately use, interpret, and assess a patient's Holter monitor readings.
Clinical Situations (integrating common complaints using Syncope, Fatigue, Dizziness)
- Review actual patient cases to better assess EKG results.
- Review other conditions you can find using EKG, including narrow complex tachycardia, regular/wide complex tachycardia, QT prolongation, ST segment depression, tall R wave in V, anterior ST segment depression in the setting of acute anterior ischemia, electrical alternans, U waves, right axis deviation, and low voltage.
Day Two
8 – 10 a.m. — 2 CME Credits
Indications and Office Examples (Screening, Welcome to Medicare & Baseline, Pre-participation, Pre-op Risk Assessment)
- Review the indications and opportunities to perform an EKG for diagnosis and risk assessment.
EKG in the Hospital
- Decide various patient scenarios in which hospitalized patients should be ordered an EKG for assessment.
Sample Cases (Screening Examples including Risk Assessment)
- Review actual patient cases to better assess EKG results and determine risk assessment.
EMR Coding & Billing (Purchasing Decisions, Scanning into Record, Reporting)
- Review coding and billing for performing and interpreting an EKG and appropriately assess your clinical and patient population to implement in-office EKG administration and interpretation.
10 – 10:15 a.m. — Break
10:15 a.m. – 12 p.m. — 1.75 CME Credits
Important Tracings
- Review tracing to help with diagnosis that could be severe or life threatening.
VT vs. SVT
- Review the differential diagnosis of ventricular tachycardia and supraventricular tachycardia.
Killer EKG Rhythms
- Identify EGK tracings and rhythms that can lead to death in a patient.
Pericarditis, Electrical Alternans
- Conduct an appropriate diagnostic EKG assessment that addresses a valid differential diagnosis for pericarditis or electrical alternans.
Medication & Drug Effects
- Identify how medications can alter the results of an EKG.
12 – 1 p.m. — Lunch
1 – 3:15 p.m. — 2.25 CME Credits
Electrolyte Abnormalities
- Review the current standards and treatment for patients with electrolyte abnormalities.
- Recognize how these abnormalities can present in patients and their EGKs.
Genetic Abnormalities
- Recognize potential genetic abnormalities when reviewing EKG results.
Practice Cases
- Review actual patient cases to better assess EKG results.
3:15 – 3:30 p.m. — Break
3:30 – 5:30 p.m. — 2 CME Credits
Putting it Together: Practice Cases, Bibliography, Resources, Evaluation
- Review actual patient cases to better assess EKG results.
- Review literature and web resources available for adequate EGK interpretation and disease management based on results.
TOTAL CME CREDITS: 16
- Houston | Hyatt Regency Houston West
July 19-20, 2025
