Pseudoatrial Flutter: When the Problem Lies Outside the Heart

Abstract

Electrocardiogram (ECG) artifacts are a common problem in emergency medicine. Generally these artifacts are induced by movement disorders, which generate electrical interference with the ECG recording. If these disorders are not promptly recognized, consequences can lead to hospitalization and execution of unnecessary diagnostic tests, thereby increasing the costs and clinical risks such as nosocomial infections and thromboembolism. We present a pseudoatrial flutter generated by a Parkinson’s-like movement.