Abstract
Electrocardiogram (ECG) is a widely used method to diagnose electrical activity of heart. Although it is a reliable and easy method, ECG could be interfered by electrical signals. One of the interfering signals is electromyogram (EMG) that is caused by muscle contraction in any parts of the body except heart. To avoid the EMG noise, an examinee is advised to be relaxed on supine position while measuring ECG. Sometimes, patients who can't put their arms and legs down on bed due to some reasons such as cast on arms or legs necessarily have the EMG noise. But detailed information about how much of the noise could be induced by positional change of arms and legs has not been reported. Here we examined the noise by analyzing ECG data from 14 candidates, 7 males and 7 females. The ECG data was obtained using the standard 12 lead ECG. EMG noise was induced by raising arms and legs at $90^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$ or $30^{\circ}$. Because arms are located close to the heart, noise by the raised arms was analyzed toward left or right arm separately. All of the examinees showed similar pattern of the EMG noise. EMG noise by positional change of left or right arm was clearly monitored in different limb leads. Change of leg positions induced the noise that was monitored in aVF of augmented leads and II and III of limb leads. There was a difference in degree of the noise between male and female examinees. In addition to the EMG noise, decrease of PR interval was monitored in particular positional changes, which was prominent in male examinees. These results will enlarge fundamental understanding about EMG noise in ECG.
