ECG Tracing: Between Waves and Intervals (Part 1)
A Mortara EKG Machine Brand Review


ECG tracing is just another term for the recorded tracing or electrocardiograph (ECG, or EKG). As the heart undergoes depolarization and repolarization, the electrical currents that are generated spread not only within the heart, but also throughout the body.  This electrical activity generated by the heart can be measured by an array of electrodes placed on the body surface.

The typical ECG tracing of a normal heartbeat (or cardiac cycle) are consisting of a P wave, a QRS complex and a T wave. A small U wave is normally visible in 50 to 75% of ECGs. The baseline voltage of the electrocardiogram is known as the isoelectric line. Typically the isoelectric line is measured as the portion of the tracing following the T wave and preceding the next P wave.

Today we will discuss about the P wave.

The main electrical vector is directed from the SA node towards the AV node, and spreads from the right atrium to the left atrium during normal atrial depolarization. This turns into the P wave on the ECG, which is upright in II, III, and aVF (since the general electrical activity is going toward the positive electrode in those leads), and inverted in aVR (since it is going away from the positive electrode for that lead). A P wave must be upright in leads II and aVF and inverted in lead aVR to designate a cardiac rhythm as Sinus Rhythm.

•    The relationship between P waves and QRS complexes helps distinguish various cardiac arrhythmias.
•    The shape and duration of the P waves may indicate atrial enlargement.
 
Okay, much of those technical blah-blahs… Let’s discuss now, this trusted EKG machine brand by most hospitals and medical professional with its superb features and reliability with regards to displaying cardiac test results: Mortara. 

Below are its products as being highlighted in the EKGShop.Com website:

Mortara ELI 10 Electrocardiograph - A truly handheld ECG machine, measuring less than 18cm x 14cm and weighing less than 500 gm. It also features a waveform display, full keyboard with familiar ELI 150/250 user interface, VERITAS� Resting ECG Interpretation option, and a wide range of connectivity options including wireless LAN and GSM/GPRS mobile. Hard copy printing is available via ELI LINK.

Mortara ELI 350 Electrocardiograph Intelligence Diagnostic ECG - The ELI 350 is here and what a great unit it is. The inclusion of the 17 inch high resolution screen announces that the ELI 350 is here to do some serious work.

Mortara ELI 150 Electrocardiograph - Full-featured, compact 12-lead electrocardiograph.

Mortara ELI 200 Interpretive EKG Machine - The ELI 200 interpretive electrocardiograph from Mortara Instrument is a flexible and portable instrument that provides simultaneous 12-lead acquisition. The printout, on 8.5" wide (215mm) paper, enables the presentation of 3, 4 or 6 channels of ECG in automatic mode and 3, 6 or 12 channels during rhythm recording. The ELI 200's lead fail detection and signal quality check reduce the need for ECG re-acquisition and reduce operating costs as well.

Mortara ELI 210 12-Channel, Interpretive Electrocardiograph - 12-channel, interpretive electrocardiograph.

Mortara Landscape EKG Machine - Landscape is the most advanced electrocardiograph available today. Superior signal processing, including the Source Consistency Filter delivers accurate ECG acquisition which can be previewed in internal real-time. The SCF significantly reduces noise and artifact without compromising the integrity of the raw ECG data. The result is a clean and accurate ECG.

Mortara ELI 250 12-Lead Electrocardiograph Bi-directional - 12-lead electrocardiograph with full range of bi-directional connectivity options.

Mortara Portrait Interpretive EKG Machine - The Portrait Electrocardiograph provides a superior presentation of ECG waveforms by presenting all 12 leads simultaneously in a vertical or "Portrait" format. Viewing leads on the high-contrast LCD screen prior to acquisition reduces the need for a repeat ECG. Mortara Instrument's exclusive Source Consistency Filter decreases noise without changing the ECG waveform while exceeding AHA standards. 

Mortara Instrument was founded in 1982 by David W. Mortara, PhD. Mortara Instrument specializes in electrocardiography products, including ECG and EKG machines.  The Mortara Instrument Company is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but has grown over the past 25 years to place offices around the world.