Hi friends!!!
In our previous blogs, we have discussed about MRI scanner. Please check out for the links below.
In today's blog we are going to discuss about electrocardiogram.
The human heart is the most essential and valuable organ of our body. Electrocardiogram is used to diagnose the disorders in the functioning of heart. Therefore it is important for every healthcare professionals to know about electrocardiogram.
Let's get into the topic.
WHAT IS
ELECTROCARDIOGRAM?
The electrocardiogram is a painless procedure used to
monitor and measure the electrical activity of the heart. The electrocardiogram
is used to record the heart rhythm in a continuous moving sheet of paper or
electronically displays it in a monitor. Heart irregularities and other cardiac
problems can also be detected using electrocardiogram.
WHY DO WE NEED
ELECTROCARDIOGRAM?
The electrocardiogram is used to detect the time taken
for electrical signal to pass through the heart and how much electrical signal
passes through the heart.
The electrocardiogram is used to detect the abnormal
heart rhythm (arrhythmia), blockages in the coronary arteries, enlargement of
heart, damages in heart muscle and proper functioning of implantable devices
like pacemakers. The abnormal amount of electrolytes like potassium and calcium
can also be detected using electrocardiogram. The condition of heart after
heart attack and heart surgery can also be detected using electrocardiogram.
The electrocardiogram is also used to evaluate the
reasons for following problems.
1. Chest pain.
2. Breathing problem.
3. Tiredness.
4. Dizziness.
HOW ELECTROCARDIOGRAM
WORKS?
Our human cells communicate with each other using
electrical signals. Likewise, each time when heat beats, the electrical signal
travels through the heart. These electrical signals are sent by a group of
cells into the right atrium of the heart called as sinoatrial node. These
electrical signals spread around the heart and causes atria to contract first
and then ventricle. The effects of these signal passage can also be seen on the
skin surface, which can be measured using electrocardiogram.
In electrocardiogram procedure at least four
electrodes are placed on the chest or four extremities of the patients. Generally,
a set of colour codes are used for electrode placement. For right arm – white,
left arm – black, right leg – green, left leg – red. Variations in this setup
can also be made to have more flexible electrocardiogram procedure.
These electrodes placed on the patient’s body tracks
the electrical signal moving through the heart and records the timing and
strength of the signal in a graph called P wave.
The ECG waveform has 3 patterns as following: P wave,
QRS complex, T wave.
Generally wet electrodes are used in ECG procedure
which requires a adhesive to increase conductivity between electrode and skin
surface.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING
ELECTROCARDIOGRAM?
During electrocardiogram patient’s will be asked to
remove any objects from their body that may interfere the ECG recordings like
watches, chains etc.
Patient’s will be instructed to remove the clothes
from waist up and lie down flat on the bed. Meanwhile the technicians will
ensure the privacy of the patient’s by covering the patient’s with bedsheets.
Patients will be instructed to remain still and silent
during the procedure so as to not interrupt the ECG signal acquisition.
A gel will be applied on some specific areas of the
patient’s body where the electrodes will be connected to improve the
adhesiveness between electrode and the patient’s body.
The electrodes will be attached on patient’s legs,
arms and chest. The lead wire will be connected to the electrodes.
Now I hope you have acquired some knowledge about electrocardiogram. We will discuss in detail about ECG leads placement, ECG waveform and interpretation, types of ECG machine in our future blogs.
NOTE: Dear friends!!!... Please do comment a topic related to Biomedical, so that we can discuss it in future blogs.
Check out for this blog about Computed Tomography and x ray.
COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY|TECHNOLOGY|ARTIFACTS
x ray machine working principle
DON’T FORGET TO FOLLOW THIS BLOG PAGE
DROP YOUR MAIL ID TO GET IMMEDIATE UPDATES
If you find this blog post knowledgeable,
comment & share it with a friend!
Nice explanation
ReplyDelete