kynnyssähkökäyrät

Kynnyssähkökäyrät, also known as threshold electrograms, are a specialized type of electrophysiological recording used in clinical settings, particularly in cardiology. These recordings are derived from the electrical activity of the heart during cardiac electrophysiology studies. The term "kynnys" refers to the threshold, indicating that these electrograms are specifically designed to capture the electrical signals at the boundary or threshold of certain cardiac structures or responses.

The primary purpose of kynnyssähkökäyrät is to assess the electrical properties of the heart tissue, such as excitability and refractoriness. By delivering electrical stimuli of varying intensities and durations, clinicians can determine the minimum stimulus required to elicit a response (capture threshold) and the period during which the heart muscle cannot be stimulated again (refractory period). These measurements are crucial for diagnosing and managing various cardiac arrhythmias, including tachycardias and bradycardias.

The data obtained from kynnyssähkökäyrät helps guide treatment decisions. For instance, in patients with pacemakers, knowing the capture threshold is essential for setting appropriate pacing parameters to ensure effective cardiac stimulation. Similarly, understanding refractory periods aids in programming implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) to accurately detect and treat life-threatening arrhythmias. The interpretation of these complex electrograms requires significant expertise in cardiac electrophysiology.