What serves as a reference point for identifying the changing electrical impulse on an EKG?

The isoelectric line serves as a crucial reference point for identifying the changing electrical impulses captured on an electrocardiogram (EKG). This line is the flat, horizontal baseline where no electrical activity is taking place, effectively indicating a state of electrical neutrality in the heart. When the heart generates electrical impulses, the deviations from this isoelectric line represent various phases of cardiac activity, such as depolarization and repolarization.

By assessing the segments above and below the isoelectric line, healthcare professionals can observe and diagnose arrhythmias, ischemia, or other cardiac conditions. Being able to identify these changes relative to the isoelectric line is pivotal for accurate interpretation of the EKG results. Thus, the isoelectric line is fundamental in delineating the cardiac cycle and understanding the heart’s electrical dynamics throughout its rhythm.