An EKG records the heart's electrical activity and shows heart rate and rhythm. Holter monitors also record electrical activity over longer periods to diagnose arrhythmias or detect silent ischemia. A 12-lead EKG reveals where heartbeats start and electrical signal travel times to identify issues. Cardiac catheterization threads a thin catheter into blood vessels to access the heart for diagnostic tests and treatments.

1. CARDIAC
PROCEDURES
By
Andrew Streidenberger

2. Electrocardiogram
• It is also called an EKG or ECG, is a simple, painless test
that records the heart's electrical activity. To understand
this test, it helps to understand how the heart works.
• An EKG shows:
• How fast your heart is beating
• Whether the rhythm of your heartbeat is steady or
irregular
• The strength and timing of electrical signals as they pass
through each part of your heart

3. EKG

4. Holter Monitors
• Holter and event monitors are medical devices that record
the heart's electrical activity. Doctors most often use these
monitors to diagnose arrhythmias.
• Holter is also used to detect silent myocardial ischemia. In
this condition, not enough oxygen-rich blood reaches the
heart muscle. "Silent" means that no symptoms occur.
• Holters are small, portable devices. You can wear one
while you do your normal daily activities. This allows the
monitor to record your heart for a longer time than an
EKG.

5. Holter Monitors

6. 12 Lead Electrocardiogram
• The 12 Lead EKG can reveal whether the heartbeat starts in the
correct place in the heart. The test also shows how long it takes for
electrical signals to travel through the heart. Delays in signal travel
time may suggest heart block or long QT syndrome.
• A nurse or technician will attach soft, sticky patches called electrodes
to the skin of your chest, arms, and legs. The patches are about the
size of a quarter.
• Often, 12 patches are attached to your body. This helps detect your
heart's electrical activity from many areas at the same time. The
nurse may have to shave areas of your skin to help the patches stick.
• After the patches are placed on your skin, you'll lie still on a table
while the patches detect your heart's electrical signals. A machine will
record these signals on graph paper or display them on a screen.
• The entire test will take about 10 minutes.

7. 12 Lead Electrocardiogram

8. Cardiac Catheterization
• Cardiac catheterization is a medical procedure used to
diagnose and treat some heart conditions.
• A long, thin, flexible tube called a catheter is put into a
blood vessel in your arm, groin (upper thigh), or neck and
threaded to your heart. Through the catheter, your doctor
can do diagnostic tests and treatments on your heart.

9. Cardiac Catheterization

10. The End