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Because a stable cardiac rhythm is essential to effective contractility and adequate cardiac output, fast and accurate arrhythmia detection is critical. The EK-Pro algorithm uses four leads for arrhythmia detection, exceeding the American Heart Association’s minimum recommendation. This Quick Guide from GE Healthcare provides advice on applying the EK-Pro algorithm to help achieve reliable arrhythmia interpretation. It covers these practical aspects of arrhythmia monitoring.

Signal quality. Careful skin preparation and the use of high-quality electrodes are keys to ensuring a good ECG signal.

Relearning the patient’s QRS pattern. During ECG monitoring, it may be necessary to use the manual Relearn QRS feature when a substantial change in the patient’s ECG pattern has occurred. The manual relearn can correct false arrhythmia alarms and heart rate values. In addition, it restores the ST measurements.

Pacemaker detection. Pacemaker detection should be activated when patients with pacemakers are monitored. When using a CARESCAPE™ Patient Data Module (PDM), Tram™ Module or Combination monitoring, pacemaker detection may need to be manually activated.

ECG arrhythmia alarms. GE monitors have three arrhythmia analysis modes: Off, Lethal and Full. The Lethal mode is the standard; the Off and Full modes are optional choices. The Lethal mode detects asystole, ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia and ventricular tachycardia.

For the most current arrhythmia calls, please consult the user manual specific to your current monitor for the details.

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