Question

Performing an EKG? Summarize and give a full summary?

Answer 1

Electrocardiogram ( ECG or EKG ) is the graphical representation of electrical activity of the heart during pumping of blood. The graph is recorded as voltage against time by placing electrodes on the skin. The standard recording is by using a 12 lead EKG. T

12 lead EKG is recorded by using 10 electrodes where 4 electrodes are placed on the upper and lower extremities and 6 one the chest. The placement of electrodes are

• RA - On the right arm.
• LA - on the left arm, but same location of the RA placement.
• RL - lower part, the inner aspect of the calf muscle of right leg.
• LL - similar location of RL, on the left leg.
• V1 - Right border of the sternum, between 4th and 5 th ribs.
• V2 - Left border of sternum, between 4thband 5th ribs.
• V3 - Midway between V2 and V4 electrodes.
• V4 - Mid - clavicular line , in the fifth intercostal space.
• V5 - on the anterior axillary line horizontal to V4.
• V6 - horizontal to V4 and V5, on mid-axillary line.

The waves represented in the ECG are according to the propagation of action potential through the cardiac conduction system. They are

P wave; atrial systole or atrial depolarization.

QRS complex; ventricular systole or ventricular depolarization.

T wave; ventricular diastole or ventricular repolarization.

The EKG recording provide information about the structure and function of heart. The interpretations include

Heart rate : To check regular or irregular pulse. Identification of abnormalities like tachycardia or bradycardia.

Heart rhythms : The irregular rhythms due to abnormal electrical activity of heart like atrial fibrillation, fluller etc .

Cardiac perfusion : ischemic changes in the cardiac muscles can be detected in condition like chest pain and rule out myocardial infarction.

Structural changes like cardiomyopathy and other defects.

EKG is a non invasive procedure with no potential harm to the patient. It is used to to detect normal and abnormal structure and function of heart.