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Impedance Cardiography – Painless Noninvasive Heart Test

A Noninvasive Way to Monitor Hemodynamics (sub chapter of cardiovascular physiology). In short a painless way to test the blood flow of your heart without the use of a catheter. The Impedance Cardiography test is not painful and yields results that would otherwise require a very invasive procedure. I have had this test and it is entirely painless, in fact it’s just about the easiest test you can undergo. Thank you technology!

Impedance Cardiography is a Newer Technology to Test Your Heart Noninvasively

I am amazed at the leaps and bounds technology has made over previously invasive tests to determine illness. As I write this message I am halfway through a series of testing to determine my disease state I have been ill for more than a year and visited several Physicians to no avail. So I sought the help of a renowned Physician that treats patients of many states of illness, particularly those who have not found any help from their regular MD’s or even specialists.

Along with 6 vials of blood I was introduced to this method of testing to see if my heart is pumping blood properly. I do not know the results (Update: My test results were “normal”). I would like to tell those of you who have not heard of this method of testing or who are considering Impedance Cardiography; it’s not painful! In fact it was very easy.

All I did was allow the nurse practitioner to place the electrodes on my neck and chest, then I just lay still on the table for 5 to 10 minutes while she put the equipment through it’s paces. I felt no shock, no sensation of anything. That was it, it couldn’t easier. Contrast this to the “Old Method” of inserting a catheter into an artery and you’ll appreciate the marvel of computer technology as much as I do! Any time a test can be taken without cutting into the body I’m for it! No I can not tell you the intricacies of Impedance Cardiography (I didn’t know anything about it before today), but I can tell you that it is very easy on the patient.

Below I have published more information from more knowledgeable sources about this exciting, painless new technology. If it were not for this technology I probably would have declined having my heart tested. Honestly for general testing, who in the World would allow themselves to be cut open? With the Impedance Cardiography Technology you don’t have to take any chances, you can have the test and not suffer any side effects!.

Impedance Cardiography – How it works – ICG Technology Description:

Impedance cardiography (ICG), also known as thoracic electrical bioimpedance (TEB), is a technology that converts changes in thoracic impedance to changes in volume over time. In this manner, it is used to track volumetric changes such as those occurring during the cardiac cycle. These measurements, which are gathered noninvasively and continuously, have become more sophisticated and more accurate with the development of data signal processing and improved mathematical algorithms.

This technology, originally used by NASA in the 1960’s, has benefited from the advent of the microprocessor and the better understanding of the cardiac cycle, thanks to technology such as echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging. Today, noninvasive methods of measuring of cardiac output are coming into clinical use on a larger scale than ever before and are compared with other methods such as thermodilution and the direct and indirect Fick methods.

How Impedance Cariography Works…

• Alternating current is transmitted through the chest
• The current seeks the path of least resistance: the blood filled aorta.
• Baseline impedance to current is measured.
• Blood volume and velocity in aorta change with each heartbeat.
• Corresponding changes in impedance are used with ECG to provide hemodynamic parameters.

To Learn More about Impedance Cardiography Diagnostic Testing

I have borrowed liberally for this explanation which gets very detailed. Please visit: ImpedanceCardiography.com to learn more.