Artifacts/Noise

ECG Features

Figure 1: ECG Strip[1]

Artifacts are ECG abnormalities that are "a measurement of cardiac potentials on the body surface and are not related to electrical activity of the heart."[2] Consequently, artifacts can distort normal components of the ECG.[2]

Clinical Significance[2]

  • Artifacts are commonly caused by a patient's motion, muscular activity, electromagnetic interference, and electrode malfunction (e.g. misplaced leads).
  • It is crucial for physicians to recognize artifacts because they can result in unnecessary testing or treatment.

ECM Features

Figure 2: ECM Analysis, Record 108[3][4]

ECM Examples

Figure 3: Record 114[3][4]

3. Saturation in Upper Signal

Figure 4: Record 116[3][4]

4. Tape Slippage

Figure 5: Record 214[3][4]

Figure 6: Record 215[3][4]

Figure 7: Record 228[3][4]

Additional Information

References

  1. Gisbson, M., & Patel, S. [Online image]. (2008). EKG artifacts. Retrieved August 10, 2016, from http://www.wikidoc.org/index.php/EKG_artifacts#cite_note-pmid17322457-1
    1. Gisbson, M., & Patel, S. (n.d.). EKG artifacts. Retrieved August 10, 2016, from http://www.wikidoc.org/index.php/EKG_artifacts#cite_note-pmid17322457-1
  2. MIT-BIH Arrhythmia Database. (1980). Retrieved June, 2016, from https://physionet.org/physiobank/database/mitdb/
  3. Goldberger AL, Amaral LAN, Glass L, Hausdorff JM, Ivanov PCh, Mark RG, Mietus JE, Moody GB, Peng C-K, Stanley HE. PhysioBank, PhysioToolkit, and PhysioNet: Components of a New Research Resource for Complex Physiologic Signals. Circulation101(23):e215-e220 [Circulation Electronic Pages;http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/101/23/e215]; 2000 (June 13).