Presenter Status
Resident/Psychology Intern
Abstract Type
Research
Primary Mentor
Lindsey Malloy-Walton, DO, MPH
Start Date
3-5-2022 12:00 PM
End Date
3-5-2022 12:15 PM
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Description
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Background: Technology for obtaining pediatric EKGs has not changed in over 70 years. Current guidelines recommend a 12-lead EKG, which takes approximately 7 minutes to complete. Newer adult technology utilizes between 1-6 leads for EKG analysis. There has not been a study in pediatrics to assess the minimum number of leads required to attain diagnostic accuracy.
Objectives/Goal: To determine the appropriate number of leads needed to read pediatric EKGs safely and accurately.
Methods/Design: This is a single center systematic review that included randomly selected EKGs from our hospital database (2017-2020) read by two independent pediatric electrophysiologists. Standard 12-lead EKGs were reviewed; then utilizing an overlay technique, 8 lead (limb + V1/V6) and 6 lead (limb only) variations were reviewed. EKGs with missing leads were excluded.
Results: We reviewed a total of 600 pediatric EKGs, 200 of each lead type (age range 2 weeks-21 years old). When comparing the 12-lead to 6 and 8-lead, there was almost perfect agreement with regard to rhythm identification (97.5-100%, K 0.85-1) and substantial agreement when measuring specific intervals (97.5-100%, K 0.66-1). The 8-lead compared to the 12-lead EKG showed substantial agreement when identifying certain EKG patterns including atrial enlargement, axis deviation, bundle branch block and left ventricular hypertrophy (97.50100%, K 0.66-1), with moderate agreement for right ventricular hypertrophy and ST elevation (98-98.5%, K -.49-0.57). Specific EKG patterns (including ventricular hypertrophy, right bundle branch block, and prominent mid precordial voltages) were not detected on the 6-lead EKG, likely due to the exclusion of precordial leads. There was a high percent agreement (92.5-100%) amongst the two reading pediatric electrophysiologists.
Conclusions: An 8-lead EKG (limb + V1/V6) has almost perfect rhythm identification, substantial interval measurement and EKG pattern agreement when compared to a 12-lead EKG. The 6-lead EKG (limb only) was not deemed sufficient to maintain diagnostic accuracy in pediatrics as it was not able to detect specific and critical EKG patterns. We are hopeful this information can lead to future advancements in EKG technology in pediatrics, improving efficiency without compromising accuracy.
MeSH Keywords
EKG; Pediatrics; Pediatric Cardiology; Pediatric Electrophysiology
Included in
Cardiology Commons, Higher Education and Teaching Commons, Medical Education Commons, Pediatrics Commons
EKG Technology: It Is Time For A Change!
Watch recording of live presentation
Background: Technology for obtaining pediatric EKGs has not changed in over 70 years. Current guidelines recommend a 12-lead EKG, which takes approximately 7 minutes to complete. Newer adult technology utilizes between 1-6 leads for EKG analysis. There has not been a study in pediatrics to assess the minimum number of leads required to attain diagnostic accuracy.
Objectives/Goal: To determine the appropriate number of leads needed to read pediatric EKGs safely and accurately.
Methods/Design: This is a single center systematic review that included randomly selected EKGs from our hospital database (2017-2020) read by two independent pediatric electrophysiologists. Standard 12-lead EKGs were reviewed; then utilizing an overlay technique, 8 lead (limb + V1/V6) and 6 lead (limb only) variations were reviewed. EKGs with missing leads were excluded.
Results: We reviewed a total of 600 pediatric EKGs, 200 of each lead type (age range 2 weeks-21 years old). When comparing the 12-lead to 6 and 8-lead, there was almost perfect agreement with regard to rhythm identification (97.5-100%, K 0.85-1) and substantial agreement when measuring specific intervals (97.5-100%, K 0.66-1). The 8-lead compared to the 12-lead EKG showed substantial agreement when identifying certain EKG patterns including atrial enlargement, axis deviation, bundle branch block and left ventricular hypertrophy (97.50100%, K 0.66-1), with moderate agreement for right ventricular hypertrophy and ST elevation (98-98.5%, K -.49-0.57). Specific EKG patterns (including ventricular hypertrophy, right bundle branch block, and prominent mid precordial voltages) were not detected on the 6-lead EKG, likely due to the exclusion of precordial leads. There was a high percent agreement (92.5-100%) amongst the two reading pediatric electrophysiologists.
Conclusions: An 8-lead EKG (limb + V1/V6) has almost perfect rhythm identification, substantial interval measurement and EKG pattern agreement when compared to a 12-lead EKG. The 6-lead EKG (limb only) was not deemed sufficient to maintain diagnostic accuracy in pediatrics as it was not able to detect specific and critical EKG patterns. We are hopeful this information can lead to future advancements in EKG technology in pediatrics, improving efficiency without compromising accuracy.
