A controlled study of a new ECG electrode system

A newly marketed resting ECG electrode system was compared with conventional metal suction and plate electrodes, electrode cream and patient cable. Two experienced technicians were given special training in the use of the new electrode, electrolyte and patient cable system and alternated daily in using new and conventional equipment. Nearly equal numbers of perfect-scoring ECGs were recorded with each system, attesting to the impartiality of the technicians. A total of 1,062 ECGs were evaluated, 554 with the new system and 508 with the conventional one. ECG tracings were evaluated by electrocardiographers unaware of which system was used for each. A quantitative scoring system was used to measure the technical quality of each tracing in terms of baseline drift, powerline artifact and myographic plus miscellaneous artifacts. The new system received mean scores of 2.33, 3.08, and 2.72, respectively, while the conventional electrodes received scores of 2.56, 3.03 and 2.79. We concluded that the two types of electrodes produced ECGs of essentially equal quality.