What is the clinical significance of electrocardiogram

The electrocardiogram (ECG) is an electrical activity process that reflects the excitation of the heart. It has important reference value for the basic function of the heart and its pathological research.Meilun

ECG can analyze and differentiate various arrhythmias, and it can also reflect the degree and development of myocardial damage and the functional structure of atrium and ventricle. It has reference value in guiding cardiac surgery and indicating the necessary drug treatment. However, ECG is not an indispensable indicator of cardiac function. Because sometimes a normal-looking ECG does not necessarily prove normal cardiac function; on the contrary, myocardial damage and functional deficiencies do not always show any changes in the ECG. Therefore, the ECG examination must be combined with a variety of indicators and clinical data, comprehensive analysis, in order to make a correct judgment of the cardiac function and structure.Meilun

ECG is widely used in scientific research. Their electrocardiograms have been recorded in many animals and their physiological significance has been preliminarily studied. Some invertebrates, such as horseshoe crab, mussel, octopus, crayfish, sea squirt and other vertebrates, such as amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, can record their ECG with special electrodes and guidance methods. The basic graphics are similar, and the specific waveforms, voltage levels and duration are different. In animals with well-developed venous sinuses, the P wave of the electrocardiogram is preceded by V wave corresponding to the excitation of the venous sinuses. The electrocardiogram of fish and amphibians often has B wave before T wave, which reflects the excitement of conus arteriosus. Animal electrocardiogram can also be used as an objective index to determine the origin of heart beat.

The electrocardiogram of neurogenic heartbeat such as Limulus often has oscillatory fast waves and sudden spike potentials, while the electrocardiogram of myogenic heartbeat such as mollusk usually consists of several slow waves. To study the comparative physiology of the heart, animal electrocardiogram (ECG) can record the changes of ECG at a long distance by installing ECG transmitter in human or animal. It can be used to test the changes of heart function of athletes and animals during walking, to test the changes of heart beat of high altitude pilots and astronauts, and to study the changes of heart activity of human body in high altitude, deep sea and other environments.