Electrocardiographic motion artifact versus electrode impedance

We degraded electrocardiographic electrodes by exposing them to air for four days and evaluated them on 12 subjects. After application, we recorded the electrocardiogram (including motion artifact), missed QRS detections and electrode impedance during 5 min of arm and body movements. Missed QRS detections increased with electrode impedance but correlation was poor. Increased electrode impedance was not a reliable predictor of a poor electrode and the need to replace it.

I. Introduction

Medical practitioners, physicians, and nurses rely heavily upon the information provided by electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring units. For many patients, their heart's performance is constantly monitored throughout their hospital stay. Accurate detection of a patient's heart rate and rhythm is an indispensable necessity in maintaining a high level of patient care [1]. In determining a heartbeat, ECG monitoring systems detect the large QRS complex inherent in all functional heart voltage outputs. Optimally, all heartbeats would be detected through their QRS complexes. In practice, however, ECG monitoring systems are prone to error.