Electrocardiogram use in Cancer research

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.

ECG is used to measure the rate and regularity of heartbeats as well as the size and position of the chambers, the presence of any damage to the heart, and the effects of drugs or devices used to regulate the heart.

An ECG is very useful in determining whether a person has heart disease. If a person has chest pain or palpitations, an ECG is helpful in determining if the heart is beating normally. If a person is on medications that may affect the heart or if the patient is on a pacemaker, an ECG can readily determine the immediate effects of changes in activity or medication levels. An ECG may be included as part of a routine examination in patients over 40 years old.

Abnormal ECG results may indicate:

Myocardial (cardiac muscle) defect

Enlargement of the heart

Congenital defects

Heart valve disease

Arrhythmias (abnormal rhythms)

Tachycardia (heart rate too fast) or bradycardia (too slow)

Ectopic heartbeat

Coronary artery disease

Inflammation of the heart (myocarditis)

Changes in the amount of electrolytes (chemicals in the blood)

Past heart attack

Present or impending heart attack

Clinically stable lung cancer patients without cardiac symptoms suggestive of myocardial injury indicates the possibility of myocardial metastasis. Myocardial metastasis is often elusive, thus careful observation of ECG changes is of primary importance for the antemortem diagnosis.

To put it simply, ECG's help to let us know the condition of her heart, changes due to medications, but can also inform us of metastis (cancer spreading) to the heart.

-Vanessa