How to do Atrial ECG

Specialties CCU

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Can anyone tell me how to do atrial ECG???...my patient post CABG, had atrial and ventricle pacing wire and Dr ask for a atrial ECG???:confused::confused:

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First obtain a standard 12 lead EKG. After completing the standard 12 lead EKG disconnect the clips from the arm leads and connect them to the atrial pacing wires and obtain the atrial EKG. It doesn't matter which atrial wire is connected to which limb lead. After completing both EKG's, make sure that you label the atrial EKG so they can be appropriately interpreted.

I hope this information was helpful. :specs:

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My method:

Take one of the A wires (either one) and attach it to MCL/V1.

Make sure you have MCL and another lead (such as lead II) displayed on the monitor.

Run a strip of the two leads on the same strip.

MCL will have the atrial signal amplified and superimposed on the regular chest lead MCL.

Lead II will be running directly above/below it on the strip.

The purpose of the AEG is to look at where the atrial electrical activity lies in relation to the regular surface strip to see the A-V relation (ie differentiating fast fib from flutter, nodal rhythms etc).

You need the two strips running concurrently on the same page.

Lining up an AEG solo with a 12 lead is less precise IMO.

Its a good method b/c it takes only a few seconds- attach the wire to MCL, print the strip and you're done.

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Specializes in CTICU.

Agree with TakeBack

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