Cardiograph

A cardiograph is a special medical device that measures the bioelectic activity of the heart. The device is multi-channel and can have one, three, six and twelve lead channels. It is used to perform electrocardiographic examinations. It is used in intensive care units, functional diagnostics, cardiology departments, and ambulances. It is also used in private practice.

The main task of this type of equipment is to amplify the heart signals and clear them from extraneous noise. The more ECG leads the device registers, the higher its ability to clear cardiac signals from various noises, and the more accurately it registers the slightest deviations in the work of the heart.

Modern devices have a number of positive characteristics, such as:

Multifunctionality;
High degree of accuracy;
Compact size;
Reliability;
Convenience and ease of use;
Ergonomic design.
In medical practice, you can not do without such equipment.

Purpose of the cardiograph

A cardiograph is designed to record the voltage or electrical potential difference between two specific points. Thus, the total electrical activity of the heart muscle is recorded. The resting cells of the myocardium are positively charged on the outside, and negatively charged on the inside. A straight line is fixed on the electrocardiographic tape. The cell membranes of the myocardium come into a state of excitation when the conducting system of the heart begins to distribute an electrical impulse. In this case, the charge of the cells inside changes to positive, and outside — to negative. This process is called depolarization. After depolarization, repolarization occurs, i.e., the restoration of the original polarity, by returning the cells to a state of rest.

The electrical pulse sent by the device sequentially propagates through various parts of the heart and provokes the depolarization of the myocardial cells. In this process, the charge of the cell inside is partially positive. And on the outside-partially negative. The potential difference that occurs at this moment is recorded by the cardiograph. It records the ECG as the total potential difference of the myocardial cells. This difference is called the electromotive force of the heart.

What else you need to know

Electromotive force of the heart is a vector in three dimensions, taking into account time. On the film that we get as a result of an electrocardiogram, you can see only two-dimensional quantities, so the projection of the EMF of the heart is fixed on one plane at a certain time. Each lead is a record of its projection of the electromotive force of the heart muscle. The first six (standard and reinforced from the extremities leads) fix the force in the frontal plane, the other six (thoracic leads) – in the horizontal plane, which divides the human body into the lower and upper halves. Thus, it is possible to establish the localization of any pathology.

The electrocardiographic method is indispensable in order to successfully diagnose various disorders in the work of the heart muscle. These include heart rhythm disorders, conduction disorders (blockages), and others. The cardiograph helps to identify signs of hypertrophy of the heart, as well as various ECG syndromes, including congenital ones.

Cardiography is a study that must be carried out in accordance with certain rules. Before starting the study, it is necessary that the patient lay down on his back and rest for 10-15 minutes. Your breathing should be calm. Only then can you start receiving the cardiogram data. The room where the cardiograph is located should be well heated, the patient should not tremble, as this can significantly distort the record. Usually, an electrocardiogram is taken on an empty stomach, or at least two hours after eating. Physiotherapy and radiological procedures can be performed only after cardiography. Places. Where the electrodes will be applied, it is necessary to degrease with alcohol, and also moisten with a special gel or saline solution.