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.

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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. 

CardiacSense, an Israel-based healthcare technology company, gained FDA clearance for its CSF-3 medical watch

Regulatory Roundup: FDA clears new medical watch, considers empagliflozin for CKD and much more

Our monthly review of FDA-related news items in the world of cardiology includes updates from CardiacSense, MedAlliance, Lupin, Realize Medical and Eli Lilly and Company. 

wearable device heart health ECG SCG ultra soft University of Missouri Zheng Yan, PhD

New ‘ultra-soft’ wearable device uses ECG, SCG results to monitor heart health

The new-look device, still under development, is designed to be worn for weeks at a time. 

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The power of AI: Advanced algorithm IDs heart issues using Apple Watch data

A team of Mayo Clinic specialists led the analysis, sharing their findings in Nature Medicine.

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