Radio-frequency heating under ECG electrodes

ECG electrodes can provide an alternate path for the return of radio-frequency current to an electrosurgical generator. In the process, significant heat rise can take place at the electrode/skin interface. The contribution from the electrode to this heart rise was examined using face-to-face pairs as well as human subject testing. A comparison of various electrode designs revealed a wide range in their RF heating characteristics which affects the probability of burns.