Equipment-related electrocardiographic artifacts: causes, characteristics, consequences, and correction

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Clinical Monitoring
• Cardiology

Background:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring is crucial in operating rooms and intensive care units.
• Signal interference, or artifacts, frequently corrupts ECG data in these environments.
• Artifacts can mimic serious arrhythmias, complicating patient assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the common sources and mechanisms of ECG artifacts in clinical settings.
• To discuss strategies for differentiating artifactual signals from true cardiac events.
• To highlight the importance of understanding artifact characteristics for accurate interpretation.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on ECG artifacts in critical care environments.
• Analysis of artifact generation by various electrical and diagnostic devices.
• Discussion of clinical differentiation strategies using simultaneous monitoring data.

Main Results:

• Artifacts originate from diverse internal and external sources, including electrical devices and new medical technologies.
• Artifacts can be nonspecific or mimic dangerous arrhythmias.
• Clinical context and other monitored parameters are vital for distinguishing artifacts from true ECG changes.

Conclusions:

• Basic ECG principles and careful monitoring can mitigate some artifacts.
• Persistent artifacts may require expert analysis and technological solutions.
• Improved understanding of equipment-generated artifacts is essential to prevent misdiagnosis and iatrogenic complications.