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Electrocardiogram Artifact in Catheterizaton Laboratory Setting Mimicking Ventricular Fibrillation: Stay Vigilant

Mohamed Salah Abdelghani1, Ahmad M Salem1, Ammar Chapra1

  • 1Departments of Cardiology, Heart Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.

Heart Views : the Official Journal of the Gulf Heart Association
|September 29, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Electrocardiogram (ECG) artifacts can mimic dangerous arrhythmias like ventricular fibrillation, leading to incorrect treatment. Vigilance for artifact causes in stable patients is crucial, especially in catheterization labs.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Diagnostics

Background:

  • Electrocardiograms (ECGs) are vital in emergency departments.
  • Artifacts can interfere with ECG interpretation, potentially mimicking serious conditions.

Observation:

  • Two patients in a catheterization lab setting experienced ECG changes resembling ventricular fibrillation.
  • The first patient's shivering caused artifactual ECG changes, leading to unnecessary defibrillation.
  • The second patient's ECG changes were artifactual, triggered by contrast injector activation during coronary angiography.

Findings:

  • Artifacts from shivering and contrast injection can mimic ventricular fibrillation on ECG.
  • Misinterpretation of these artifacts can lead to inappropriate and harmful interventions.

Implications:

  • Highlights the critical need for recognizing ECG artifacts in hemodynamically stable patients.
  • Emphasizes the importance of artifact awareness in high-acuity settings like catheterization labs for accurate patient management.

Keywords:
Electrocardiogram artifactarrhythmiaventricular fibrillation

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