Respiratory Artefact

Report:

Sinus tachycardia 122/min

rSR’ pattern in MCL1

Respiratory artefact

Comment:

The heat’s position vis à vis the recording MCL1 electrode changes phasically with breathing. Not only the QRS size, but the polarity of the T wave is affected. This may be of importance when anteroseptal T waves are interpreted in 12-lead ECGs.

The negative P waves indicate that the lead – equivalent to V1 in 12-lead ECGs – should be repositioned. Properly placed V1 has a biphasic P wave.

In general, it is unwise to read more than rhythm and conduction from rhythm strips. If one wonders about left atrial abnormality or incomplete RBBB, or those inverting T waves, 12-lead trace should be taken.

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