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Arrhythmia Diagnosis

Arrhythmia: Diagnosis


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1. Electrocardiography (ECG)

ECG is required as a documentation technique for recording arrhythmia. It is regarded as standard diagnosing tool for arrhythmia and it records comparative timing between ventricular and atrial electrical events. It calculates the time taken by the impulses to travel through atria, the atrioventricular conduction system and the ventricles. For carrying out the test, the medical practitioner will attach small electrodes to different body parts, like one on each arm and others on the chest area. Electrocardiography is a non-invasive procedure and like any other diagnosis test, people are supposed to visit the medical facility only once. There is no need for the patient to be kept under long term observation.

2. Holter monitor

This diagnostic tool is also called continuous ambulatory electrocardiograph monitor and is used to document the signs of arrhythmia by using a portable ECG recorder. It can record all the electrocardiographic signals for 24 hours in the format of a movie. It is a non-invasive mode of diagnosis which requires at least two visits to the doctor. There is no need to keep the patient under long term observation because the observation period is built in to the test itself and this procedure is not a part of a larger test body.ย 

3. Transtelephonic monitor

There are chances when arrhythmia strikes people quite suddenly and they do not get time to visit a doctor. A transient event monitor can be used to rectify this where patients are provided with a small recording device for 2 months. During an arrhythmia incidence, the patient can connect the device to their body by bracelets, patches or finger clips under their arms. These recordings can be transmitted as ECGs to their doctor over the telephone. This is also a non-invasive diagnostic tool and requires at least two visits to the cardiologist. This diagnostic test is conducted for both observation as well as analysis.ย 

4. Treadmill test

This test actually aggravates the incidence of disease for making an easy diagnosis. This is for people who consider exercising as a reason behind the occurrence of arrhythmia. The patient is supposed to walk in a controlled environment, which is followed by a run on the treadmill accompanied by a regular monitoring of his/her heart beat. This testing is also non-invasive in nature and needs one visit to the doctor. Moreover, there is no long term observation required before diagnosis and the procedure is not a part of a larger body of tests.ย 

5. Tilt table study

Tilt table studies are for people who experience persistent fainting syncope. These studies record the responsiveness for blood pressure as well as heartbeat from lying down to standing up. Blood pressure inside the artery is always measured with the help of a catheter and if there are any fainting spells during the test, the patient is supplied medications through this intravenous line. Tilt table studies are non-invasive in nature and require two or more visits to the doctor. There is no need to keep patients under long term observation.ย 

6. Electrophysiologic testing

This is required for unmasking infrequent arrhythmia. Catheter placements are done in the heart through peripheral veins with other placements in atria, ventricles and the conduction system. The test is carried out by using local anesthesia and the heart beat electrical signals are recorded for analyzing the spread of electrical impulses. This falls a slightly invasive means of diagnosis with a single visit to doctor and a slight need to keep the patient under long term observation. ย 

7. Esophageal electrophysiologic procedure

This procedure is required to diagnose the type of tachycardia patient is suffering from. It needs the insertion of a thin tube in the nostril with specific positioning in the esophagus. This is a slightly invasive mode of diagnosis with no need for multiple visits to doctors. Moreover, there is no need to keep the patient under long term observation and it is a part of larger body of tests.ย 

8. Transthoracic echocardiography

This tool uses ultrasound waves for mapping a heart picture. These waves can also monitor the motion and structure of heart. This is a non-invasive mode of diagnosis with no need to visit the doctor again and again. The patient is not kept under observation for a long time and it is not part of a larger body of tests.ย 

9. Echocardiogram

This tool works on the principle of sound waves with same observational feature for the measurement of heart structure and motion. This is a non-invasive mode of diagnosis with no need to visit the doctor multiple times. ย 

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