What is an electrocardiogram?

An ECG known as an electrocardiogram is one of the most important non-invasive tests. It collects the electrical activity of the heart to provide information to doctors to diagnose heart-related diseases.

What does an ECG system include?

Patient Monitor: It is an instrument such as a computer or printer that analyzes electrical signals and then displays or prints them in a graph.

Electrodes: In order to collect electrical signals, we have to use electrodes. It is a conductive pad that adheres to the skin for electrical current detection.

ECG lead wire: One end of the ECG lead wire is connected to the heart electrode, and the other end is connected to the main cable or directly to the monitoring unit, which plays a role in information transmission.

Main cable: Connect the monitor to the ECG lead wire. Unlike lead wires, the main cable is usually a wire to a connector.

Adapter: mainly used to solve compatibility problems. When lead wires cannot be used on one instrument, we can use adapters to solve this problem.

Other Common ECG-Related Terms

Compatibility: As a technical barrier, usually instruments and consumables between manufacturers cannot be used together. Compatibility technology overcomes this barrier, allowing different brands of instruments to use the same lead wire. szmedplus focuses on the development and production of compatible cables and probes. Our products are compatible with most brands in the market, so you can choose with confidence.

Single-use products: Single-use leads are intended for use by one patient only. This doesn't mean a patient uses it once and then throws it away. In general, compatible disposable leads can be used with all standard facilities in the hospital. So when a patient is in the hospital. He will use the same wire to connect to different instruments and then not use it after the patient is discharged.

Reusable product: After disinfection and cleaning, it will be used between patients.

Commonly used ECG leads:

The most common ECG leads we hear are 3 leads, 5 leads, and 12 leads. To put it simply, 3 leads can only monitor 3 sets of information and 12 can monitor 12 sets of information. The more information collected, the more comprehensive the better the doctor's diagnosis. Of course, on the other hand, the more derivatives, the more expertise is required for electrode placement. Therefore, portable ECG monitors used by individual households use a small number of leads, and professional knowledge is required for the use of 12 leads

What affects ECG readings?

1. The patient's skin is dry, greasy and sweating will affect signal transmission;

2. Excessive movements or the patient's mood fluctuations during the monitoring process will also affect signal tracking;

3. Exercise or smoking before the test;

4. Interfering objects near the ECG, such as power lines, infusion pumps, ventilators, etc.;

5. The settings of the equipment have an impact on the measurement accuracy;