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Electrocardiographic artifact with a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit
1Department of Cardiology, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York 10029.
International Journal of Cardiology
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) can cause an unusual electrocardiographic artifact. This artifact, mimicking a runaway pacemaker, requires careful interpretation to avoid misdiagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Instrumentation
Background:
- Electrocardiography (ECG) is a standard diagnostic tool for cardiac rhythm analysis.
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) units are widely used for pain management.
- Potential for electromagnetic interference between medical devices is a known concern.
Observation:
- A patient utilizing a TENS unit exhibited an unusual artifact on their electrocardiogram (ECG).
- The artifact presented as rapid, low-amplitude oscillations.
- This pattern was observed during TENS unit usage.
Findings:
- The observed ECG artifact consists of high-frequency, low-amplitude deflections.
- This artifactual pattern can be erroneously interpreted as a critical pacemaker malfunction, specifically a runaway pacemaker.
- Distinguishing artifact from true pathological signals is crucial for patient safety.
Implications:
- Awareness of TENS-induced ECG artifacts is essential for clinicians interpreting ECGs.
- This highlights the need for systematic evaluation of potential interference sources in diagnostic testing.
- Proper identification prevents unnecessary interventions and anxiety for patients with pacemakers.