Electrocardiography: Double check your chest leads

Electrocardiography (ECG) is a rapid, non-invasive and invaluable diagnostic tool which plays a pivotal role in emergency department (ED) to provide critical information that aids in the timely assessment and management of patients presenting with a variety of cardiac and non-cardiac conditions. The improper placement of the electrodes can cause artifacts which would alter the reading and thus affect the management. The findings of the ECG should be confirmed through an accurate physical examination because, in certain cases, they may result from anatomical irregularities that manifest as ECG alterations resembling cardiac abnormalities.