What are the methods for cardiac function assessment?
Generally speaking, methods for cardiac function assessment include Holter monitoring, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, exercise stress testing, cardiac catheterization, and myocardial enzyme spectrum testing. The details are as follows:
Holter monitoring continuously records cardiac electrical activity for 24 hours or longer, enabling the detection of intermittent arrhythmias and brief episodes of myocardial ischemia that may be missed by routine electrocardiograms (ECG). By analyzing the recorded data, it provides a comprehensive understanding of the heart's functional status during daily activities, offering more complete evidence for diagnosis.
2. Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency pulses to generate detailed images of the heart, clearly showing cardiac structure, myocardial tissue characteristics, and blood flow conditions. It is valuable for evaluating pathological changes such as myocardial fibrosis and myocardial edema, and is highly significant in diagnosing diseases like cardiomyopathy and myocarditis.
3. Exercise Stress Testing
During an exercise stress test, individuals exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike while their ECG, blood pressure, and other parameters are monitored. By increasing the cardiac workload, the heart's response during physical exertion can be observed, helping to identify the presence of myocardial ischemia and assisting in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease.
4. Cardiac Catheterization
Cardiac catheterization involves inserting a catheter into a blood vessel and guiding it into the heart to directly measure pressure within the cardiac chambers, collect blood samples, and perform coronary angiography. It accurately assesses hemodynamic changes in the heart and clarifies the condition of coronary artery lesions, making it an essential method for diagnosing complex cardiac diseases.
5. Myocardial Enzyme Spectrum Testing
Myocardial enzyme spectrum testing measures the levels of myocardial enzymes such as creatine kinase and troponin in the blood to determine whether the myocardium is damaged. When myocardial cells are injured due to ischemia or necrosis, these enzymes are released into the bloodstream, and abnormal elevations in these markers suggest possible conditions such as myocardial infarction or myocarditis.
In addition, other methods for cardiac function assessment include chest X-ray and radionuclide ventriculography. When undergoing these tests, individuals should select appropriate procedures based on their symptoms and medical advice, and actively cooperate with healthcare professionals to ensure accurate results.
