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Updated: May 25, 2026

The Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump
Published on: February 5, 2021
Earthing defect: a cause for unstable hemodynamics
R Barani Selvan1, Parnandi Bhaskar Rao, T R Ramachandran
1Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Kanagachettikulam, Pondicherry, India. baraniselvan@gmail.com
Abstract:
Interference of monitored electrocardiogram (ECG) is a common event in intensive care units and operation theaters. Artifacts in the ECG tracing can resemble serious arrhythmia, thus leading to unnecessary usage of antiarrhythmics or electrical defibrillation. In addition, ECG artifacts may lead to serious hemodynamic consequences secondary to intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) trigger failure. We report a rare event of IABP failure due to ECG artifact, which appeared on placement of the transthoracic echocardiography probe over the chest. Subsequent evaluation revealed potential current leakage from echocardiography machine secondary to earthing defect in the machine.
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