Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Electrocardiogram

Electrocardiogram

An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a critical diagnostic tool that records the electrical signals produced by the heart during each heartbeat. This recording is achieved through electrodes placed strategically on the arms, legs, and chest. The electrocardiograph amplifies these signals and produces 12 distinct tracings, offering a comprehensive understanding of the heart's electrical activity.
Three major waveforms are present in a typical ECG recording: the P wave, the QRS complex, and...

Electrocardiogram Fundamentals

Electrocardiogram Fundamentals

Introduction
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a diagnostic tool for identifying cardiac conditions such as arrhythmias, conduction abnormalities, and myocardial ischemia.
Definition
An electrocardiogram (ECG) visualizes the heart's electrical activity by tracing the electrical movement associated with each heartbeat on a graph or monitor. As the heart beats, an electrical wave passes through it, correlating with the cardiac cycle events.
Parts of an ECG
An ECG utilizes electrodes on the skin...

ECG Interpretation of Rhythms

ECG Interpretation of Rhythms

An electrocardiogram (ECG)graphically represents the heart's electrical activity on ECG paper or a monitor.
Components of the Electrocardiogram
The primary components of a normal ECG waveform in Normal sinus rhythm(NSR) include the P wave, PR interval, QRS complex, ST segment, T wave, and occasionally a U wave.
ECG waveforms are divided by vertical and horizontal lines at standard intervals.
The horizontal axis measures time and rate, and the vertical axis measures amplitude or voltage....

Correlation between ECG and Cardiac Cycle

Correlation between ECG and Cardiac Cycle

The electrical signals recorded on an electrocardiogram (ECG) occur before the mechanical processes of contraction and relaxation during the cardiac cycle.
A cardiac action potential originates in the SA node and spreads throughout the atria and the AV node in approximately 0.03 seconds. This results in the P wave in an ECG and triggers atrial contraction. The action potential is then briefly slowed at the AV node, allowing the atria to contract and fill the ventricles with blood before...

Pulse rhythm

Pulse rhythm

Pulse rhythm refers to the pattern of pulsations within specific intervals, offering valuable insights into the regularity or irregularity of the heart's beats as observed through the pattern of pulsation within specific intervals. A regular pulse exhibits a consistent heart rate with uniform waveforms and pulsation force, variations of which can be classified as normal, weak, or bounding.
Conversely, an irregular pulse pattern is termed dysrhythmia, stemming from disruptions in cardiac...

Cardiac Action Potential

Cardiac Action Potential

Cardiac action potentials are essential for proper heart function, enabling the rhythmic contractions needed for adequate blood circulation. Nodal cells and Purkinje fibers, specialized for electrical conduction, generate these action potentials.
The cardiac action potential process involves a series of phases characterized by the movement of ions across the cardiac cell membranes, leading to the depolarization and repolarization of the cardiac myocytes.
Ionic Basis of Cardiac Action Potentials

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Retrospective multicenter analysis of causes of death in wild mammals in Southern Germany (2019-2023).

Frontiers in veterinary science·2026

Same author

Modification and validation of the Bluebelle Wound Healing Questionnaire (WHQ) for assessing surgical site infection in wounds healing by secondary intention.

Journal of tissue viability·2025

Same author

Lethal complication of a rare cardiac tumor.

Forensic science, medicine, and pathology·2023

Same author

1H-MR spectroscopy, magnetization transfer, and diffusion-weighted imaging in alcoholic and nonalcoholic patients with cirrhosis with hepatic encephalopathy.

AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology·2006

Same author

[Hepatic encephalopathy--case report].

Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)·2003

Same author

Ocular infection caused by Mycobacterium kansasii in an AIDS patient.

AIDS (London, England)·2002

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2025

A Research Method For Detecting Transient Myocardial Ischemia In Patients With Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome Using Continuous ST-segment Analysis

A Research Method For Detecting Transient Myocardial Ischemia In Patients With Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome Using Continuous ST-segment Analysis

Published on: December 28, 2012

Case report: Electrocardiographic (ECG) recording during the hanging process.

E M Ungermann¹, M Balikowski², J Hemker³

¹Institute of Forensic and Legal Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Vossstrasse 2, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany. e.ungermann@yahoo.de.

Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology

|August 11, 2024

Summary

This case study details the fatal cardiac electrical activity during atypical hanging. The electrocardiogram (ECG) revealed progressive heart block, culminating in asystole and death.

Keywords:

AV block Perimortal ECG changes Postmortem ECG analysis Strangling

More Related Videos

Patient Directed Recording of a Bipolar Three-Lead Electrocardiogram using a Smartwatch with ECG Function

Patient Directed Recording of a Bipolar Three-Lead Electrocardiogram using a Smartwatch with ECG Function

Published on: December 11, 2019

Real-Time Cardiac Mapping with a Noninvasive Imageless Electrocardiographic Imaging System

Real-Time Cardiac Mapping with a Noninvasive Imageless Electrocardiographic Imaging System

Published on: April 11, 2025

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 17, 2025

A Research Method For Detecting Transient Myocardial Ischemia In Patients With Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome Using Continuous ST-segment Analysis

A Research Method For Detecting Transient Myocardial Ischemia In Patients With Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome Using Continuous ST-segment Analysis

Published on: December 28, 2012

Patient Directed Recording of a Bipolar Three-Lead Electrocardiogram using a Smartwatch with ECG Function

Patient Directed Recording of a Bipolar Three-Lead Electrocardiogram using a Smartwatch with ECG Function

Published on: December 11, 2019

Real-Time Cardiac Mapping with a Noninvasive Imageless Electrocardiographic Imaging System

Real-Time Cardiac Mapping with a Noninvasive Imageless Electrocardiographic Imaging System

Published on: April 11, 2025

Area of Science:

Forensic Pathology
Cardiology
Autopsy

Background:

Hanging is a common cause of death.
The cardiac pathophysiology during atypical hanging is not fully understood.
Electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring during such events is rare.

Purpose of the Study:

To report and analyze ECG changes in a case of atypical hanging.
To provide insights into the cardiac mechanisms of death in hanging.

Main Methods:

A 48-year-old female victim of hanging was found with a Holter monitor.
The Holter monitor recording was analyzed by a cardiologist.
Autopsy findings were correlated with ECG data.

Main Results:

The ECG demonstrated a 20-second asystole, followed by bradycardia.
Progressive atrioventricular (AV) block occurred: Mobitz I, Mobitz II, and finally third-degree AV block.
The tracing concluded with P waves only, preceding cardiac arrest.

Conclusions:

This case highlights significant ECG abnormalities during atypical hanging.
The findings contribute to understanding the complex pathophysiology of death by hanging.
ECG monitoring can offer valuable data in forensic investigations of hanging deaths.