VSPN TECH137-0223: ECG Interpretation Module 2

The real time sessions for this course will be presented via Zoom webinar platform.

Presenter: Dianne Hudson, RVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia)
Course Open: February 28-March 31, 2023
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Tuesdays, March 7, 14 & 21, 2023; 9:00-10: pm ET (USA)   World Clock Converter
Total CE Credit: 4.5
RACE Category: 4.5 hours Medical

Enrollment is closed.  

Tuition: $95 ($85 early bird special if enrolled by February 13, 2023)
** Enroll in both modules by February 7, 2023 and receive a 15% discount off the original course price.
* Students currently enrolled in an AVMA accredited or CVMA approved Veterinary Technician Program may be eligible to receive a 50% discount off the regular rate for this course (upon verification of student status).
Prices are listed in US dollars.


Course Information:
This is module 2 of a two-part course designed to cover the essentials of electrocardiograph (ECG) interpretation. Basic knowledge of the cardiovascular system and physiologic components is needed as we will only cover basic anatomy and physiology briefly in this intermediate-level course. Participants completing both modules of this course will be exposed to the basic elements of ECG interpretation (Lead II) including a review of the conduction system of the heart, the ECG/EKG waveform, normal rhythms, cardiac arrhythmias, and nursing care of abnormal cardiac events.

Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the participant should be able to:
  • Demonstrate how to calculate the rate using the 10-20 method
  • Describe how to assess and characterize rhythm
  • Recognize normal sinoatrial and atrial activity
  • Describe the function of the atrioventricular node
  • Recognize normal ventricular activity
  • Describe the steps to assessing normal PR interval
  • Recognize atrial premature complexes
  • Recognize atrial tachycardia
  • Recognize atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter
  • Recognize junctional premature complexes
  • Recognize ventricular premature complexes
  • Recognize ventricular tachycardia
  • Recognize ventricular asystole
  • Recognize ventricular fibrillation
  • Recognize sinus block or arrest
  • Recognize sick sinus syndrome
  • Recognize atrial standstill
  • Recognize first, second-and third-degree AV block
  • Recognize right and left bundle branch blocks
Level and Prerequisites: This intermediate VSPN CE course course is geared toward veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, and veterinary technician students. Module 1 is a required prerequisite for Module 2 to help ensure a complete basic understanding of ECG interpretation in anesthesia, emergency, and critical care patients.

RACE Accreditation: This program has been approved for 4.5 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE approval. This program is approved for veterinary technicians/technologists. (#20-847919)

Course Agenda:

Week 1 (Real Time Session March 7): Circulation and the Conduction System
In this session will learn to calculate a rare using the 10-20 method. We will describe how to assess and characterize rhythm and recognize normal sinoatrial and atrial activity. We will discuss the function of the atrioventricular node, recognize the normal ventricular activity, and describe the steps to assessing a normal PR interval.

Week 2 (Real Time Session March 14): Recording ECGs
TThis week we will learn to recognize atrial premature complexes, atrial tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, and atrial flutter. We will learn to discern junctional premature complexes, ventricular premature complexes, and ventricular tachycardia.

Week 3 (Real Time Session March 21): What is Normal for Our Canine and Feline Patients?
In this session, we will learn to recognize sinus block or arrest, and sick sinus syndrome. We will also learn to recognize atrial standstill. We will go over first, second-, and third-degree AV blocks and right and left bundle branch blocks.

Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to earn a certificate of completion for the course. To learn more about the requirements for earning a CE certificate, please refer to Receiving Your CE Credit and Course Completion Certificate.

Course Materials: Course materials will be available in the course library prior to each Real Time Session.
Required Textbook(s): There is no required textbook for this course.


Enrollment is closed.  

Tuition: $95 ($85 early bird special if enrolled by February 13, 2023)
*** Enroll in both modules by February 7, 2023 and receive a 15% discount off the original course price.
* Students currently enrolled in an AVMA accredited or CVMA approved Veterinary Technician Program may be eligible to receive a 50% discount off the regular rate for this course (upon verification of student status).
Prices are listed in US dollars.


*To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close on March 7, 2023 at 5 pm ET (USA) or when the maximum number of participants is reached.

*For more information on how online CE works, see the Participant Resource Center.


Enrollment qualifications:
  1. VIN CE Courses:
    1. VIN CE courses are open to VIN member, VIN student member, and non-member veterinarians.
    2. Veterinary support staff must be VSPN members in order to enroll in a VIN CE course open to VSPN member enrollment.
  2. VSPN CE Courses:
    1. VSPN CE courses are open to veterinary support staff and veterinarians.
    2. Only VIN and VSPN members can enroll in a VSPN CE course.
    3. Veterinarians will only receive credit for those VSPN CE courses that specify in the Accreditation statement that the course is accredited for veterinarians.
  3. Please check the course Level and Prerequisites, Accreditation, and Tuition before enrolling.
  4. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses.
    1. Email is our major form of communication with participants; personal emails are highly recommended rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
  5. For further assistance call 800-846-0028 ext. 792 or email . Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.


Course withdrawal and refund policy: A complete refund of the paid course price will be issued when your withdrawal request is received prior to the listed start date of the course. If you wish to withdraw after the start date please contact the VIN office 800-846-0028 ext. 792 to discuss eligibility for a pro-rated refund.

*For more information on VSPN's upcoming CE courses, check the VSPN Course Catalog.

VSPN CE Services:
800-846-0028 or 530-756-4881; ext. 792
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01 45 222 6154
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from Australia: 02 6145 2357