1. Introduction
The electrocardiogram (ECG) is one of the most widely used tools for non-invasively assessing the cardiac state of a subject. It is used internationally for the early detection of acute myocardial infarction and arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation [1]. Due to the high mortality rate of cardiovascular disease (CVD) it is of paramount importance to optimise the use of the ECG as it detects the presence of CVD. The World Health Organisation estimates this disease will kill approximately 17 million people per year [2]. Currently, the ECG is normally represented on a paper printout, which is then interpreted by human observers. Given the prevalence of mobile devices in medicine it is becoming apparent that the ECG will be interpreted using such devices in the near future [3]. Clinical interpretation of the ECG has yet to be routinely supported using mobile decision support algorithms. With this in mind an initial literature review has been carried out to identify potential research questions, gaps and hypotheses.
2. Overview of Key Research Areas
Identified within the initial literature review are a number of key research themes including 1) mobile based clinical training of ECG interpretation, 2) telemedicine, 3) ECG signal visualisation and processing on mobile devices and 4) mobile ECG diagnostic training systems.
2.1 Electrocardiography
2.1.1 Electrical conduction system of the heart
Electrical activity within the heart causes its to contract. This
Innovations in mobile technology have brought remote healthcare management to the forefront of advanced medical care. The ability to record the cardiac activity of a patient at home has been available for some time. But that method utilized a recording device worn by the patient, which needed to be brought in to a hospital or doctor’s office for a healthcare professional to analyze. Today, real-time monitoring in the patient’s home is a reality.
EKG is an electrocardiogram, a machine used to check on problems with your electrical activity with your heart. An electrocardiogram machine translates the heart’s electrical pattern into lines that specific professionals can read it. The first EKG was made by Willem Einthoven, a Dutch Java island (now called Indonesia) born citizen. Willem was born the 21st day of May 1860. His father, Jacob Einthoven, was born and educated in Groningen (Netherlands). His father was also
As consumers utilize smartphones, tablets, and other devices for other functions like social media and email, they are starting to look at these features to assist them with their healthcare. Mobile body area network devices will be a growing trend in the coming years as a way to get patients engaged in their healthcare and also to give providers routine updates on the status of patients with chronic conditions. As DeGaspari (2014) indicates, these devices can lead to improved functionality for other devices used in hospitals, such as sensors for monitoring patients that might get up and wander or be a fall risk. Telemedicine will continue to grow as payers, providers, and patients all start to realize the mutual benefits that can be
Patient care technicians (PCT’s), formally known as nursing assistants, are the backbone to any nursing department. They create rapport with the patients and family members, as well as the nursing and medical staff. Some of the tasks PCT’s are responsible for include: obtaining and recording vital signs, collecting and labeling specimens, blood glucose specimen, and obtaining electrocardiograms (ECG). All these tasks are important and critical in an emergency. PCT’s designated to work in medical surgical floors may not remember the steps for obtaining a good ECG reading. Like the saying goes: if you don’t use it, you lose it. The most common reason ECG’s are misinterpreted is due to incorrect lead placement. PCT’s in critical settings such
African American male that is seen today for followup post hospital discharge. He is a 48-year-old gentleman with complicated cardiac history as well as neurological history including congestive heart failure. History of strokes 01/2017, possible sick sinus syndrome. He has an implanted pacemaker that was placed in 06/2017, as well as hypertension. He was taken to the Central Hospital on 09/01 with presentation of chest pain, noted to be around his pacemaker site. He identified being in seizure and suddenly felt chest pain with shortness of breath, and was offered nitro, he developed headaches and dyspnea post nitro treatment, of note is that the EKG that was obtained during that process, did not identify any pacemaker spike despite having a
John feels like everything he learned in school he uses, but he definitely ran into a few knowledge gaps at the beginning. He was not exposed to simple procedures such as lancing abscesses; he did not learn to use various medical instruments in clinical; or what he refers to as “simple tasks” such as sutures. He also felt grossly unprepared for 12 lead EKG interpretations, but bought “the Garcia book” to teach himself. 12 Lead ECG: The Art of Interpretation (2nd Ed) by Tomas B. Garcia is highly rated on both Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
The EKG is read by a doctor or specialist, such as an internist, family medicine doctor, electrophysiologist, cardiologist, anesthesiologist, or surgeon. The doctor will look at the pattern of spikes and dips on your EKG to check the electrical activity in different parts of your heart. The spikes and dips are grouped into different sections that show how your heart is working
An dysrhythmia of the heart is an irregular heartbeat rhythm. Ventricular tachycardia is an dysrhythmia in which the lower chambers of the heart, the ventricles, beat unusually fast.
As stated as above, the electrocardiogram and echocardiography are both painless non-invasive procedures that assess the heart’s current condition. Both these tests are performed and interpreted by the physician himself. Neither one requires any prior preparation or consists of any possible risks for the individual. They each have its differences in technique and uses.
With technology on the rise, an app was chosen as the medium as opposed to the standard technique of feeling a pulse on the neck, wrist, or chest or machine which are commonly used (Ace Fitness, n.d.) However, even with various advancements being made constantly, especially in the technological and medical field, the current products are not without flaws. The requirements of the app were simple, it had to be available on the App Store, display readings that were accurate as possible, easy for one to operate for themself, and be preferably free. Several credible websites happened to have posted lists in which they went through popular apps that monitor heart rate, tried them out, and then used their findings to rate them based off of their efficiency and accuracy. Some common faults shared by apps, for example, small movements and even deep breaths were able to throw off the reading and having to carry out multiple attempts to reach a correct reading (Addictive Tips, December 23, 2014). After searching multiple websites, the best choice ended up being a free app called Heart Rate created by Azumio, as it received top ranking on all the websites it was featured on. After trying the top two top apps mention from reviews, Heart Rate by Azumio and Runtastic, Heart Rate by Azumio was selected as the app that will be used throughout the experiment due to it’s simple and user friendly technique, it’s ability to import personal information, such as birtdate and gender, and as well as the fact that it was raked most accurate and convenient on the review websites ( iMore, April 16, 2015; iTunes,
The heart is one of the most important organs in an organism’s body, no matter if they are aquatic, amphibian, or a mammal. This super organ works automatically, able to pump massive amounts of oxygen rich blood through the body by means of electrical impulses and the opening and closing of valves within its many layers. It is what keeps us and every other creature on this earth alive; so it is only natural for one to fear when there might be a problem with one’s heart. A cardiac arrhythmia can happen to anyone, no matter the age, race, or gender, and as such, doctors and scientist have spent years trying to better understand the heart and the way it functions so that they can try to prevent these problems and save millions of lives.
Recording an electrocardiogram or ECG, is a procedure which is performed daily all over the United Kingdom by thousands of healthcare workers and in particular nurses (Jacobson, 2000). The way in which this procedure is performed varies from geographical location to location and occasionally even more so, between staff on the same ward (Amos, 2000). This reason stated by Amos (2000), formed the basis of my decision to choose this topic.
The purpose of these lab exercises is to understand the function and importance of an electrocardiogram. This lab will demonstrate how stress levels or different elevations can affect human heart rate. Furthermore, the equipment used in the experiment will show the functions in the right and left arm; as well as, in the right and left ankles. Finally, the lab will serve a purpose as a way to know how to read an electrocardiogram and calculate the heart rate.
In regards to this week’s assignment on written instructions, I have chosen to write the topic on the steps to take in obtaining electrocardiogram, most commonly called ECG. An ECG is very important equipment not only in a hospital environment but also to outside facility because it can detect any abnormalities in a person’s heart status in the shortest time making it very efficient to start treatment as soon as possible. The audience that my instructions aims for are not only to those that have some medical background but also to some individuals who may have a basic understanding of some medical terms. They do not necessarily need to have some special skills in order to obtain an ECG. However, if they are to interpret the result of the recorded ECG, then additional learning and training is needed. These instructions are designed to be easily understood not only to healthcare professional as a form of refresher, but is also targeted to potential reader who would want to learn in obtaining an ECG.
The dataset for ECG signals are obtained from MIT-BIH pyhsionet database. There were two databeses present in the website, one was Normal Sinus Rhythm database(NSR), and other was sudden cardiac death(SCD) database. In this database it had one hour of each pateints ECG record, where 30 minutes were prior to cardiac arrest. Every 5 minutes of ECG srignal were used to record HRV, and thus keeping a window size of 10 minutes, HRV values