ECG and Cardiology Vocabulary

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering cardiovascular and electrocardiograph terminology based on the lecture notes.

amplifier

a device on an electrocardiograph that enlarges the ECG impulses.

artifacts

something extraneous to what is being looked for; activity that causes interference on ECGs.

atrial depolarization

the excitement and contraction caused by the SA node at the beginning of the cardiac cycle.

augmented

refers to leads 4, 5, and 6 of the standard 12- lead ECG tracing; these leads are of different voltage.

cardiology

the study of the heart and its diseases.

countershock

(in cardiology) a high-intensity, short-duration, electric shock applied to the area of the heart, resulting in total cardiac depolarization.

current

the heart’s electrical activity as waveforms moving through the heart.

defibrillator

a device designed to deliver an electric shock to a patient, in an effort to stop pulseless ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia.

echocardiography

ultrahigh-frequency sound waves directed toward the heart to evaluate function and structure of the organ.

echoes

reflections of sound.

electrocardiogram

a graphic record of the electric currents generated by the heart; a tracing of the heart action; may also be referred to as an ECG or EKG.

electrodes

an instrument with a point or a surface that transmits current to the patient’s body; also known as a sensor used to conduct electricity from the body to the electrocardiograph.

galvanometer

an instrument that measures current by electromagnetic action.

impulses

a charge transmitted through certain tissues, especially nerve fibers and muscles, resulting in physiologic activity.

interference

confusion of desired signals caused by undesired signals, as in artifacts on an ECG.

intermittent

stopping and starting again at intervals.

interpretive

computerized analysis of ECG tracings.

intervals

time between events; space. On an ECG, the period that includes one segment and one or more waves, that is, P-R interval.

limbs

refers to the arms and legs.

mechanical

pertaining to machinery.

multichannel

refers to the capability of ECG equipment of processing impulses from multiple leads.

precordial

pertaining to that area of the chest wall over the heart for the placement of ECG chest leads.

Purkinje

network of fibers found in the cardiac muscle that carries the electrical impulses resulting in the contraction of the ventricles.

reliable

dependable, can be relied upon.

repolarization

reestablishment of a polarized state in a muscle or nerve fiber following contraction or conduction of a nerve impulse. On an ECG, the time of recovery before another contraction.

sedentary

pertaining to sitting; inactivity.

segments

the portion of ECG between two waves.

simultaneous

occurring at the same time.

somatic

pertaining to the body as distinguished from the mind; physical. Pertaining to the structures of body wall such as the skeletal muscles.

standardization

process of bringing into conformity with a standard; pertaining to ECG, a mark made at the beginning of each lead to establish a standard of reference.

stress tests

gathers information about how your heart works during physical activity.

stylus

a pen; the ECG writer.

tracing

the production of a sketch by means of a stylus passing over the paper, as in electrocardiography.

voltage

a measure of electromotive force.