QRS
Medical abbreviation · Cardiology
| Stands for | QRS complex |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
QRS stands for QRS complex, a cardiology abbreviation.
Main spike on the ECG representing depolarization of the ventricles, normally lasting 80 to 110 ms. Its width, shape and axis reveal bundle branch blocks, ventricular rhythms, pre-excitation, hypertrophy and sodium-channel drug toxicity.
Example: Wide-complex tachycardia with QRS 170 ms: treat as VT until proven otherwise.
Usage notes
Like other ECG wave names, the letters are labels rather than shortened words: Q is the first downward deflection, R the first upward one and S the downward deflection after R. A QRS of 120 ms or more is called wide. QRS duration is a key criterion for cardiac resynchronization therapy, which helps most at 150 ms or longer.
Related abbreviations
More cardiology abbreviations
- PTCA – Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
- PTS – Post-thrombotic syndrome
- PVC – Premature ventricular contraction
- PVD – Peripheral vascular disease
- PVI – Pulmonary vein isolation
- PVR – Pulmonary vascular resistance
- QTc – Corrected QT interval
- RA – Right atrium
- RAD – Right axis deviation
- RBBB – Right bundle branch block
- RCA – Right coronary artery
- RCM – Restrictive cardiomyopathy
See all 229 cardiology abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.