EKG Artifacts

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EKG artifacts are common in clinical practice and can often lead to incorrect diagnosis and unnecessary testing. In this video, we will be exploring some of the most common EKG artifacts, including wandering baseline, somatic tremor, electrical/AC interference, and broken recording.

EKG artifacts are electrical signals that are not a result of cardiac activity, but rather external interference or internal issues within the EKG machine. These electrical signals can cause abnormalities in the EKG tracing, making it difficult to interpret the patient's actual cardiac activity.

There are many different causes of EKG artifacts, and it's important to understand them to be able to identify and correct them. Here are some of the most common causes of EKG artifacts:

Part 1: Wandering Baseline

The first EKG artifact we will be discussing is wandering baseline. This artifact occurs when there is a gradual shift in the baseline of the EKG tracing. This can be caused by a loose electrode, poor skin preparation, or the patient's breathing is being picked up by the EKG machine.

Solution: To avoid wandering baseline, ensure that the electrodes are properly secured to the skin. Properly clean and prepare the skin before attaching the electrodes. You may have to shave off hair to ensure proper electrode contact. Make sure your electrodes are not expired. Have the patient relax and to breathe normally.

Part 2: Somatic Tremor

The second EKG artifact is somatic tremor. This artifact can be caused by muscle tremors or tension, which can cause the EKG tracing to be shaky or unstable. The patient might have a medical condition causing them to have resting tremors such as Parkinson's disease.

Solution: To avoid somatic tremor, instruct the patient to relax as much as possible during the EKG recording. Ensure that the electrodes are properly secured to the skin. You may have to apply the electrodes closer to or on the patient's torso instead. For a patient with Parkinson's, we can have the patient place their hands under their buttocks to minimize the tremors.

Part 3: Electrical/AC Interference

The third EKG artifact is electrical or AC interference. This can be caused by interference from other electrical devices in the environment, such as lights, cell phones, or other medical equipment, such as IV pumps.

Solution: To avoid electrical or AC interference, move the patient to a different location, and move or turn off any electronic devices that could be causing the interference.

Part 4: Broken Recording

The fourth EKG artifact is a broken recording. This occurs when the EKG machine fails to capture a complete recording due to a technical issue or an interruption in the recording process. This is usually caused by broken lead wires.

Solution: To avoid broken recordings, ensure that the EKG machine is functioning properly and that the patient is still and comfortable during the recording process. Inspect your lead wires for any damage. If there is no obvious external damage to the wires, and you're still experiencing broken recording artifacts, you may have internally broken wires. In these cases, you may have to change your lead wires.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, EKG artifacts can be caused by various factors, but most can be avoided by proper patient preparation, electrode placement, and skin preparation. Identifying and correcting EKG artifacts is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Thank you for watching, and we hope this video has been informative.