How does right ventricular hypertrophy appear on an ECG?

How does right ventricular hypertrophy appear on an ECG?

• A. Large R waves in V5 and V6
• B. Large S waves in V1 and V2
• C. Large R waves in V1 and V2, large S waves in V5 and V6
• D. Large R waves in V1 and V2, large R waves in V5 and V6

Answer: (C)

Right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) on an ECG is characterized by specific changes that reflect the increased muscle mass in the right ventricle. The correct response indicates the presence of large R waves in V1 and V2, alongside large S waves in V5 and V6. In RVH, the right ventricle is tasked with pumping more vigorously due to increased workload, leading to an increase in muscular size. This physiological change can be captured on an ECG by the alteration in the amplitude of the electrical signals generated by the heart's electrical activity. In V1 and V2, which are positioned over the right side of the chest, the R wave becomes dominant, reflecting the hypertrophied right ventricular muscle. Simultaneously, in the left precordial leads (V5 and V6), the S waves become more pronounced, indicating a shift in the electrical axis and the impact on the left ventricle as the increased voltage from the hypertrophied right ventricle affects the corresponding leads. This combination of findings is crucial for diagnosing right ventricular hypertrophy and indicates a hypertrophic response of the right ventricle, thereby confirming the correct answer.

Right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) on an ECG is characterized by specific changes that reflect the increased muscle mass in the right ventricle. The correct response indicates the presence of large R waves in V1 and V2, alongside large S waves in V5 and V6.

In RVH, the right ventricle is tasked with pumping more vigorously due to increased workload, leading to an increase in muscular size. This physiological change can be captured on an ECG by the alteration in the amplitude of the electrical signals generated by the heart's electrical activity.

In V1 and V2, which are positioned over the right side of the chest, the R wave becomes dominant, reflecting the hypertrophied right ventricular muscle. Simultaneously, in the left precordial leads (V5 and V6), the S waves become more pronounced, indicating a shift in the electrical axis and the impact on the left ventricle as the increased voltage from the hypertrophied right ventricle affects the corresponding leads.

This combination of findings is crucial for diagnosing right ventricular hypertrophy and indicates a hypertrophic response of the right ventricle, thereby confirming the correct answer.