Veronica FrattaroliProject 1

What is an electrocardiogram?Test that checks for problems with the

electrical activity of the heartDevice:

Detects and amplifies the tiny electrical changes on the skin through electrodes connected to specific parts of the body

Reduce the charge of the heartRises and falls of voltage are recorded as a

wavy line

History1872 – Alexander

Muirhead hooked up wires to a patient with a high fever to monitor their heartbeat

1903 – major breakthrough with Willem Einthoven created the galvanometer

UsesEarly detection of heart diseaseUnexplained chest painDetects the walls of the heart being too thickMedicine’s effectivenessChecks how well mechanical devices in the

heart are workingChecks heart health when having certain

conditions or diseases

RisksNo serious health risksNo serious side effects

Minimal side effect: skin irritation

ProcedureVery noninvasive procedure

Electrodes, that have conduction improving material in it, are stuck on clean arms, legs and chest

The electrodes are also hooked to the machine that will record the heart’s activity

While the test is going, patients are asked to lie very still and breathe normally

FutureMore powerful EKG machine

Use advanced micro-processors and other computer technology

Measure the electronic potential of a fetal heartbeat

Better diagnostic dataRemote patient care through phonesApprove investigational drugs

References http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrocardiography http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/electrocardiogram?page=2 http://www.heartsite.com/html/ekg.html http://www.medicinenet.com/electrocardiogram_ecg_or_ekg/article.htm http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-disease/DS01120/

DSECTION=complications http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Respiratory_sinus_arrhythmia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ventricular_tachycardia http://www.cardiochoices.com/Media/Default/cardiovascular-procedures/

images/image001_003.jpg http://www.shekharhospital.com/image/ecg%20machine.jpg http://img.tootoo.com/mytootoo/upload/46/461953/product/

461953_63716ce8dfa5614dcd1b60e7a1eef31e.jpg http://protomag.com/statics/SP_09_gty_RM_82581339_a_hz.jpg?1242887355 http://www.scienceclarified.com/images/uesc_04_img0219.jpg http://www.medexsupply.com/images/DN-1700-005.jpg