electrocardiography

Definition electrocardiography

electrocardiography: electrocardiography n. a technique for recording the electrical activity of the heart. Electrodes connected to the recording apparatus (electrocardiograph) are placed on the skin of the four limbs and chest wall; the record itself is called an *electrocardiogram (ECG). In convential scalar electrocardiography 12 leads (see lead2) are recorded, but more may be employed in special circumstances (for example, an oesophageal lead, from an electrode within the gullet, may be used in the analysis of arrhythmias). Vectorcardiography is less commonly used in Britain, but may be employed to obtain a three-dimensional impression of the electrical activity of the heart.