What are ECG artifacts?

ECG artifacts are essentially disturbances or irregularities in the ECG waveform that do not represent the actual electrical activity of the heart. These are often caused by external factors, such as patient movement, electrical interference, or poor electrode placement, which create false cardiac waveforms that can be misinterpreted.

By identifying artifacts, healthcare professionals can differentiate between true cardiac events and misleading signals. Understanding that artifacts are not related to normal heart rhythms, the electrical activity generated by pacemakers, or indications of regional ischemia is crucial for accurate ECG interpretation and patient management.