Measuring respiratory surface EMG with ECG electrode leads

Abstract

Surface electromyography (sEMG) offers potential for analyzing patient-ventilator interactions and respiratory effort. Despite promising in monitoring respiration, it is not clinically established, unlike electrocardiography (ECG), which shares the same physiological principle for cardiac monitoring. This study investigates ECG leads for respiratory monitoring in 20 subjects performing quiet and resistance breathing. Performance was quantified by signal-to-noise ratios between inspiratory activity and (1) baseline noise and (2) expiratory activity. ECG leads were suitable for monitoring respiration, with performance enhanced by combining ECG electrodes with sEMG electrodes. The findings support integrating respiratory sEMG into clinical practice using ECG electrodes without compromising cardiac monitoring.