ECG

When is an ECG performed?

The ECG is a basic investigation not only in cardiology but also in the entire field of internal medicine.

The electrocardiogram provides the doctor with information about:

• Heart rhythm and heart rate
• Disorders of excitation, propagation and repolarization in the conduction system and the heart muscle
• Position of the heart in the chest

Changes in ECG waves permit the physician to do the following:

• Diagnose or rule out an acute myocardial infarction
• Detect diseases of the coronary arteries
• Identify forms of cardiac arrhythmia such as atrial fibrillation
• Diagnose an inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis)
• Diagnose an inflammation of the pericardium (pericarditis)

How is an ECG performed?

The ECG is recorded with the patient in supine position. For this purpose one fixes 10 suction electrodes on the patient’s body. The investigation is entirely painless.