Offset potential of commercial ECG electrodes.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the offset potential characteristics of commercially available disposable electrocardiograph (ECG) electrodes.

DESIGN

Descriptive.

SETTING

Laboratory.

SAMPLE

Four hundred twenty-eight (214 pairs) disposable ECG electrodes representing 11 manufacturers/types.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Direct current offset potential.

RESULTS

The maximum offset potential for any electrode pair of a given type ranged from 0.2 mV to 21.6 mV. Of the 11 types of electrodes studied, three had a mean offset potential of < 0.1 mV and one type had a mean offset potential of > 1.0 mV.

CONCLUSIONS

Although all of the ECG electrodes studied meet applicable standards, the differences found may be important when measuring biologic signals other than the electrocardiogram.