|
Back to Cardiovascular Diagnostic Evaluation
|
|
|
|
|
An EKG (also called ECG) is one of the simplest and fastest procedures used to evaluate the heart. Electrodes (small, plastic patches) are placed at certain locations on your child's chest, arms, and legs. When the electrodes are connected to the EKG/ECG machine by lead wires, the electrical activity of your child's heart is measured, interpreted, and printed out for the physician's information and further interpretation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
EKGs use the electrical activity of the heart to identify an increase in the size of heart chambers as well as the pathway of electrical forces from the top to the bottom of the heart. The results can provide important clues to the cardiologist about the need for further testing to assess for the possibility of either structural or electrical abnormalities.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The test is performed by a trained technician, takes 10 minutes to complete and requires placement of sticky patches on the chest wall that are connected to the recording machine.
During an EKG:
|
|
|
- Your child will lie flat on a table or bed for the procedure.
- The EKG technician will need to have your child's chest uncovered in order to perform the test.
- Electrodes (small, plastic patches) will be attached to your child's chest and one electrode will be attached to each arm and leg.
- The lead wires will be attached to the electrodes.
- Once the leads are attached, the technician may key in identifying information such as your child's name and age into the machine's computer.
- The EKG is started. It will be important for your child to lie still and not talk during the procedure, so as not to interfere with the tracing. Parents can usually be present in the room and involved in reassuring and encouraging their child during the procedure. At this point, it will take approximately five more minutes (or less) for the tracing to be completed.
- Once the tracing is completed, the technician will disconnect the leads and remove the skin electrodes. Occasionally, removal of the patches can be uncomfortable. Your child may be provided with the option of removing them at home after a bath or shower.
|
|
|
|
Some reasons your child's physician may request an EKG test include:
|
|
|
- to obtain a baseline tracing of the heart's function for future comparison
- to make sure no heart condition exists that might cause complications during or after a procedure such as surgery
- to check the function of an implanted pacemaker
- to check the effectiveness of certain heart medications
- to check the heart's status after a heart-related procedure such as a cardiac catheterization, heart surgery, or electrophysiological studies
|
|
|
|
Your child's cardiologist usually will review the EKG immediately and should be able to tell you results that same day.
|
|
|
|
More on EKGs
|
|
|
