Electrocardiography

Electrocardiograms (ECG) are a primary cardiac diagnostic test that measures the electrical activity in heart to identify overall cardiac function, arrhythmias and areas of ischemia and infarct. Standard 12-lead ECG breaks the 3D structure of the heart into 12 zones, each showing the electrical activity in that specific area of the heart. This narrows down areas where there are issues with coronary artery disease or electrophysiology issues. Many ambulatory heart monitors and consumer-grade ECG monitors use fewer leads so are less specific as to cardiac conditions or location of abnormal heart rhythms, but can show an issue that requires further diagnostic testing or treatment.

Kenneth Ellenbogen, MD, explains the key EP takeaways from the 2023 Heart Rhythm Society meeting.

Key takeaways from Heart Rhythm 2023

Kenneth Ellenbogen, MD, detailed some of the biggest trends he saw at the three-day event in New Orleans. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) analysis from a remote ECG monitor showing the AI generated report on the Philips Cardiologs system, during a demonstration of the technology at Heart Rhythm 2023. Photo by Dave Fornell

AI correctly IDs ventricular arrhythmias in 88% of patients with sustained VT

New research suggests AI could offer physicians a new, state-of-the-art approach to sudden cardiac arrest risk management.

The proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare includes numerous algorithms for electrophysiology (EP). Jagmeet Singh, MD, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and founding director of the Resynchronization and Advanced Cardiac Therapeutics Program and Mass General Hospital, spoke with Cardiovascular Business at Heart Rhythm 2023 to explain how AI is being used in EP. #HRS2023 #HRS #AI

AI gaining popularity in electrophysiology

There are now numerous AI algorithms for electrophysiology. Jagmeet Singh, MD, examined how this advanced technology is being applied.

Samsung galaxy smartwatch showing atrial fibrillation (AFib) alerts

FDA clears AFib alerts for Samsung smartwatches

Samsung's smartwatches, already equipped with ECG technology, will now be able to alert users when signs of an irregular heart rhythm are detected. 

PHOTO GALLERY: Cardiac technologies on display at HIMSS 2023

Click through a series of photos of cardiology-related technologies from the world's largest health IT conference.

E-tattoo chest heart monitor designed by engineers with the University of Texas at Austin

A key step forward: Engineers take wearable ‘e-tattoo’ technology for heart disease to the next level

The new-look device, which captures ECG and seismocardiogram measurements at the same time, is completely wireless and runs on batteries that last up to 40 hours. 

AI predicts mortality risk based on ECG results with 85% accuracy

The model estimated mortality risk for more than 244,000 patients in Alberta, Canada, who had an ECG taken after a related health incident. 

Surgeons Operating On Patient

AI model predicts risk of post-operative AFib

Post-operative atrial fibrillation was once viewed as a fairly insignificant issue, but more recent research suggests it can increase a patient’s risk of multiple adverse events. 

Around the web

Several key trends were evident at the Radiological Society of North America 2024 meeting, including new CT and MR technology and evolving adoption of artificial intelligence.

Ron Blankstein, MD, professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the use of artificial intelligence to detect heart disease in non-cardiac CT exams.