Diagnostic challenge of artifactual electrocardiographic tachyarrhythmias

Abstract

Electrocardiographic artifacts may generate recordings mimicking supraventricular and ventricular tachyarrhythmias. This report describes the diagnostic challenge presented by Holter or loop recordings in two patients, one with pseudo-atrial flutter and the other with pseudo- -polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. (Cardiol J 2013; 20, 1: 106-109)

ECG in a Patient with a Fractured Arm Mimicking Atrial Flutter

“…The patient's humerus fracture was managed conservatively with coaptation splint immobilization and pain control. Artifacts mimicking atrial flutter and other arrhythmias have been described secondary to physiologic factors such as shivering from cold, Parkinsonian or benign essential tremor, hiccups, clonic contractions, poor electrode contact or other patient motion, or from non-physiologic factors such as electroconvulsive therapy, electromagnetic interference from electrical or electronic devices, or from devices such as left ventricular assist devices, continuous venovenous hemofiltration systems, implanted (deep thalamic, spinal cord) electro stimulators, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulators, bladder stimulators, etc [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] . Pseudo-atrial flutter very similar to our patient's ECG has also been reported from a portable compact disc player placed close to the patient's right arm ECG lead [8] .…”