QRS complex

Definition

The QRS complex is a segment of an electrocardiogram (ECG) that represents the electrical impulse as it spreads through the ventricles, causing them to contract. This rapid depolarization of the heart's ventricular fibers is crucial for pumping blood out of the heart.

Related terms

Electrocardiogram (ECG):

A diagnostic tool that measures and records the electrical activity of the heart over a period of time.

Ventricular Depolarization: The process by which cardiac muscle cells in the ventricles change their electrical charge in preparation for contraction.

Cardiac Cycle:

The sequence of events that occurs in a complete heartbeat, including both systole (contraction) and diastole (relaxation)