Background and purpose: The relevance of skin preparation

by abrasion preceded or not by alcohol cleansing for digital

ECG (dECGs) variables was prospectively evaluated.

Methods: In 22 healthy male subjects (40.2±9.7 years) dECGs

were recorded continuously over 5 minute periods at 5 different

time points at 3 separate 24-hour visits, employing 2 electrode

types and no skin preparation, abrasion and alcohol cleansing

before abrasion. Smoothed means dECG data covering 5

minutes used for statistical analysis on leads V2-3 and V5.

Results: Significant of skin preparation with reductions for

skin-impedance and noise (p<0.0001 – p=0.35) for all leads,

and with no further effect by alcohol cleansing (p>0.46). PRintervals

were significantly prolonged by skin preparation

(p=0.0003 – p=0.0165) in leads V2-3 at 120 and 1 440 minutes;

with additional impact of alcohol at 1 440 minutes (p=0.0005).

Subject comfort was markedly higher with one of the electrode

types (p<0.0001).

Conclusion: Skin preparation by abrasion should be employed

prior to dECG recordings to improve signal properties.

Cleansing with alcohol is generally not warranted. Skin

irritation is dependant on choice of electrode.