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Pacemaker spike alternans: an artifact of digital signal processing
Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology : PACE
|September 1, 1982
Summary
Pacemaker artifact variability can indicate device issues. However, "pacemaker spike alternans" can also be a digital artifact, not a true malfunction, requiring careful interpretation in digital electrocardiography.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Instrumentation
Background:
- Pacemaker artifacts on electrocardiograms (ECGs) are crucial for assessing device function.
- Variations in artifact amplitude or polarity may suggest generator malfunction or electrode issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of factitious "pacemaker spike alternans" caused by a digital artifact.
- To highlight the importance of recognizing digital artifacts in the era of digital electrocardiographs.
Main Methods:
- Case report describing an unusual electrocardiographic finding.
- Analysis of pacemaker artifact morphology in a digital electrocardiograph.
Main Results:
- Observed "pacemaker spike alternans" that mimicked true malfunction.
- Identified the cause as a digital "roll-over" effect, not a device fault.
Conclusions:
- Digital artifacts can create misleading pacemaker patterns.
- Clinicians must be aware of potential digital "roll-over" effects when interpreting ECGs with pacemaker spikes.
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