Usefulness of the intracardiac electrocardiogram recorded using central venous catheters on P-wave magnification

Abstract

Background: The detection of atrial electrical activity is extremely valuable in recognizing complex cardiac arrhythmias. However, P-wave detection on a surface electrocardiogram (S-ECG) can sometimes be challenging. The intracardiac electrocardiogram (IC-ECG), recorded by a central venous catheter loaded with saline solution, has proven to be a safe and effective method for amplifying atrial electrical activity. We aim to compare the P-wave amplitude recorded in the S-ECG and the IC-ECG in different venous accesses, catheters, heart rhythms, and atrial dimensions.

Methods: We compared the P wave amplitude obtained by the IC-ECG and the S-ECG recordings from cardiac intensive care unit patients.

Results: In 109 nonconsecutive patients, a total of 166 IC-ECG were collected. The median amplitude of the P wave was 0.1 (0.083-0.3) mV in the S-ECG and 0.4 (0.25-2.4) mV in the IC-ECG; p < 0.001. This difference remained significant regardless of the patient's heart rhythm, left atrial dimension, and catheter or vascular access used.

Conclusion: The IC-ECG acquired using central venous catheters significantly increases atrial electrical activity signals. This technique might help identify complex cardiac arrhythmias.

Keywords: Arrhythmia diagnosis; Central venous catheters; Intracardiac electrocardiogram; Intravascular electrocardiogram.