The Quest for Quality Electrocardiographic Recording

• Main Author: Javier García-Niebla
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: International Journal of Medical Students 2015-10-01
• Series: International Journal of Medical Students
• Subjects: Electrocardiography; Electrode misplacement; Quality ECG recording
• Online Access: http://www.ijms.info/ojs/index.php/IJMS/article/view/189

For correct electrocardiography ECG diagnosis and interpretation, it is important not only to distinguish normal from pathological electrocardiograms, but also to ensure they have been properly recorded. Heden et al, reported that 2% of 11,000 EEGs analyzed showed interchanged electrode placement. Thus, if 300 million ECGs are performed annually in the world, 6 million are erroneously recorded. This figure could even triple if one includes other frequent mistakes, such as vertical displacement of precordial electrodes and the proximal placement of these on the limbs instead of the trunk. Few manuals on electrocardiography have devoted space to warn about the effects of ECG recordings that do not conform to standards, but it seems that this is changing. This issue of the journal contains two interesting articles by Rosen et al., who form part of the research group led by Dr. Adrian Baranchuk, which address the most common mistakes made in daily practice in relation to improper placement of limb and precordial electrodes, as well as tell-tale signs for their detection. In this editorial we will elaborate on certain issues directly related to possible errors on performing an ECG.