[Esophageal stimulation of the heart: importance of the artifact inhibition system impulse in the quality of the ECG tracing from the stimulating electrode in the esophagus].
The use of diagnostic possibilities of oesophageal stimulation of the heart depends on obtaining a readable and stable electrocardiogram from the stimulating electrode. The objective of the evaluating the importance of the electronic system eliminating the artefact of the stimulating impulse from the oesophageal tracing was to compare the quality of records obtained by the new and the traditional method. For stimulation an oesophageal cardiostimulator SP-5 manufactured by OBR, TEMED Zabrze was used. The atria and ventricles were stimulated by a fixed frequency and individual timed stimuli. In 58 subjects the tracings of the oesophageal ECG during stimulation of the atria were compared and in 45 subjects during oesophageal stimulation of the ventricles. The quality of the obtained tracings was evaluated by four grades where the first three grades include tracings not suitable for diagnostic interpretation. Contrary to the traditional method, the new method for obtaining tracings made it possible to obtain tracings the quality of which was in all instances suitable for interpretation. The assembled results provide evidence, due to the new system of recording, that there are great opportunities to extend diagnostic possibilities of oesophageal stimulation of the heart.