One cardiac pathology that can be detected by an electrocardiogram (ECG) is myocardial infarction, also known as a heart attack.
An ECG is a diagnostic tool that measures the electrical activity of the heart. It can detect various abnormalities in the heart's electrical conduction system, which can be indicative of different cardiac pathologies.
In the case of a myocardial infarction, the ECG can show characteristic changes in the waveforms, such as:
1. ST-segment elevation: During a heart attack, the ECG may show an elevation of the ST-segment, which represents the period when the ventricles are contracting and pumping blood. This ST-segment elevation is a hallmark sign of an acute myocardial infarction.
2. Q-wave changes: The ECG may also show the development of new, pathological Q-waves, which indicate the death of a portion of the heart muscle (myocardial necrosis) due to the lack of blood supply.
3. T-wave inversions: The ECG may also show inverted T-waves, which can be another indicator of a myocardial infarction.
These ECG changes can help healthcare providers diagnose a myocardial infarction and guide appropriate treatment, such as the administration of thrombolytic drugs or the performance of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to restore blood flow to the affected area of the heart.
