electrocardiology
Electrocardiology is a subspecialty of cardiology focused on the heart’s electrical activity and its clinical manifestations. It centers on rhythm and conduction assessment using the electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) and related noninvasive and invasive studies used to diagnose and treat electrical disorders of the heart.
The electrocardiogram was developed in the early 20th century by Willem Einthoven, who established the standard
Key concepts include the cardiac conduction system (SA node, AV node, His-Purkinje network) and the ECG’s depolarization
Common tools include the standard 12-lead ECG, Holter and event monitors for ambulatory assessment, and exercise
Electrocardiology aids diagnosis and characterization of arrhythmias (e.g., atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia), ischemia, and conduction disorders.
Emerging trends include wearable ECG devices, remote monitoring, and AI-assisted interpretation to improve accuracy and risk