The diagnostic use of respiratory artifact

Received 16 September 2009 published online 03 December 2009.

Abstract

Respiratory artifact in the electrocardiogram usually indicates labored breathing due to compromised cardiac or pulmonary function. This case series illustrates that correlating the presence and characteristics of respiratory artifact with the ECG morphology and with changes in heart rate frequently allows us to reach specific clinical diagnoses.

Keywords: Respiratory artifact, Emphysema, COPD, Central sleep apnea, Obstructive sleep apnea, Electrical alternans, Cheyne-Stokes breathing

Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC, USA

Department of Internal Medicine, Carolinas Medical Center, P.O. Box 32861, Charlotte, NC 28232, USA.

PII: S0022-0736(09)00551-2

doi:10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2009.10.005

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