Artifactual electrocardiographic change mimicking clinical abnormality on the ECG.

Electrocardiographic artifact is a common finding in patients requiring evaluation and monitoring in the prehospital, emergency department, or intensive care unit settings. Artifact results from both internal (physiological) and external (nonphysiological) sources. In most instances, artifact is recognized as an incorrect electrocardiographic signal--its only impact producing interference in electrocardiogram interpretation; artifact may also produce electrocardiographic signals which mimick disease--these signals the physician must recognize as artifact.