User's Manual

Lead Placement for Monitoring Resp
8-4 Monitoring Respiration Rate (Resp)
Lead Placement for Monitoring Resp
Correct patient skin preparation techniques for electrode placement are
important for Resp measurement. See Connecting and Positioning ECG
Electrodes p. 6-6.
The Resp measurement uses the standard MX40 patient cable. You can use
3-wire, 5-wire, or 6-wire leadsets, using either Standard or EASI placement.
Optimizing Lead Placement for Resp
If you want to measure Resp and you are already measuring ECG, you may
need to optimize placement of the two electrodes between which Resp will
be measured. Repositioning ECG electrodes from standard positions,
especially when you are using EASI placement, results in changes in the
ECG waveform and may influence ST and arrhythmia interpretation.
Cardiac Overlay
Cardiac activity that affects the Resp waveform is called cardiac overlay.
Cardiac overlay happens when the Resp electrodes pick up impedance
changes caused by the rhythmic blood flow. Correct electrode placement
can help to reduce cardiac overlay. Avoid the liver area and the ventricles
of the heart in the line between the respiratory electrodes.
Abdominal Breathing
Some patients with restricted chest movement breathe mainly abdominally.
In these cases, you may need to place the left leg electrode on the left
abdomen at the point of maximum abdominal expansion to optimize the
respiratory wave.