Arrhythmia analysis Q&A.

Real-time electronic analysis of an electrocardiogram (ECG) waveform during continuous physiologic monitoring allows detection of cardiac arrhythmias, which enables clinicians to be audibly alerted to the presence of these abnormal heart rhythms. Like most other clinical alarm systems, devices that perform arrhythmia analysis require clinician vigilance in order to be properly applied in patient care. The arrhythmia algorithms used by today's cardiac monitors are not perfect, and a thorough understanding of their capabilities and limitations is vital to safe and effective use. This article answers some basic questions about arrhythmia analysis as it applies to continuous cardiac monitoring.