title: Earthing defect: a cause for unstable hemodynamics.
abstract: Interference of monitored electrocardiogram (ECG) is a common event in intensive care units and operation theaters. Artifacts in the ECG tracing can resemble serious arrhythmia, thus leading to unnecessary usage of antiarrhythmics or electrical defibrillation. In addition, ECG artifacts may lead to serious hemodynamic consequences secondary to intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) trigger failure. We report a rare event of IABP failure due to ECG artifact, which appeared on placement of the transthoracic echocardiography probe over the chest. Subsequent evaluation revealed potential current leakage from echocardiography machine secondary to earthing defect in the machine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Kanagachettikulam, Pondicherry, India. baraniselvan@gmail.com
authors.forename: R Barani
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Selvan
authors.forename: Parnandi Bhaskar
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Ramachandran
authors.forename: David George
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Veliath
mesh_terms: D016477:Artifacts; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D007423:Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged