The Heart Center's electrocardiography program manages a database of more than 400,000 digital electrocardiograms (ECG) and we provide ECG equipment and/or services to 27 facilities throughout Central Minnesota. We perform more than 38,500 ECGs annually.

We use telephonic transmission technology to receive electrocardiographic data from patient homes.

• 12 lead ECGs - A graphic recording of the electrical current produced by the excitation of the heart muscle.
• Specialized rhythm strips - A continuous (30- to 60-second) graphic recording of the 12 lead ECG with special filters and amplitudes applied. Used for the diagnosis of patients with suspected arrhythmogenic right ventricular
  dysplasia.
• Signal averaged electrocardiograms - A special ECG that detects subtle but serious abnormalities not normally seen in the routine ECG and are visualized by magnifying the signal 300x. Used for the diagnosis of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Most frequently ordered for patients with syncope, congestive cardiomyopathy and post infarction.
• Holter monitoring - 24- and 48-hour continuous ambulatory recordings of two channels (or views) of ECG data. Used for the diagnosis of arrhythmias and/or medication efficacy evaluation. Most frequently ordered for patients who experience symptoms frequently (every day).
• Arrhythmia (or event) monitoring - 30-day “event” monitoring worn and activated by the patient. The monitor utilizes “looping” ECG memory to capture and record one channel of ECG before and after the patient experiences symptoms. Used for the diagnosis of potential heart arrhythmias and/or medication efficacy evaluation. Most frequently ordered for patients who experience symptoms infrequently (less than every few days).