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Interpretation:
What are the causes of ECG artefact ?
There are multiple causes of ECG artefact and they may relate to the patient, environment or equipment. They include:
References / Further Reading
Life in the Fast Lane
ECGpedia
- 96 bpm
- Regular
- P waves difficult to see but likely present
- Best appreciated in leads I & II
- RAD
- PR - Unable to adequately identify P wave morphology to measure, suugestion of pr prolongation in lateral leads
- QRS - Normal (100ms)
- High frequency artefact in all leads
- Maximal in precordial leads
- Relative sparring of leads I & aVL
Interpretation:
- Significant artefact obscuring the baseline and majority of ECG segments
- Likely electrical interference from power supply (50Hz AC)
- Need to check correct line frequency filter, electrode contact and remove obvious potential interfering devices from patient / area
What are the causes of ECG artefact ?
There are multiple causes of ECG artefact and they may relate to the patient, environment or equipment. They include:
- Patient Factors
- Implanted devices
- PPM - Pacing Spikes
- Nerve stimulators
- Movement disorders e.g. Parkinson's, essential tremor
- Rigors
- Muscle tremor / activity can be related to pain, hypothermia etc.
- CPR
- Transport artefact e.g. vehicle movement
- Environmental
- Interference from surrounding electronic devices. Relatively rare using newer ECG machines and environmental interferece if usually compounded by incorrect machine filter settings.
- Equipment
- Poor lead contact
- Damaged cable / connector
- Filter settings including monitor vs filter mode and main supply hertz filtering
References / Further Reading
Life in the Fast Lane
ECGpedia
- Chan TC, Brady WJ, Harrigan RA, Ornato JP, Rosen P. ECG in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care. Elsevier Mosby 2005.
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