Internal use only

Risk of skin reaction when using

ECG electrodes

Ambu A/S has been developing electrodes for electrocardiography (ECG) for the last 30 years. There are several
phases in the process of developing the electrodes. One of the most important phases is the biocompatibility
testing of the electrodes, which assures that the materials selected for the electrodes are compatible with the
human skin (unless biocompatibility can be documented otherwise). Every time a new electrode is developed or
considerably changed, new tests have to be performed. Biocompatibility testing of the electrodes is a requirement
of the International Organization for Standardisation (ISO) 10993 Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices. The
tests required for surface electrodes are:
S ensitization study to evaluate the potential of the electrode to cause delayed dermal contact sensitization.
C ytotoxicity study (in vitro) to determine the electrodes potential of causing cell death.
P rimary skin irritation to evaluate whether the topical application of the electrode can cause skin irritation.

While several tests and precautions are taken to assure that the materials selected are biocompatible, it is impossible
to guarantee that no patients will eventually react to a certain substance contained in the gel or medical adhesive.

What does Ambu do Finally, production registrations and inspection

registrations are checked to localize any abnormality
Statistics
Ambu has received on average less
when a patient reports during the production of the batch. than 5 complaints per 100 million
If it is proved that the electrode was not defective,
a skin reaction? the next step is to find out whether the electrode
units of electrodes sold (average
calculated within the period 2001
was used properly or whether the patient was - 2007).
Ambu has a special procedure to handle complaints. particularly allergic or sensitive to any materials
Every complaint received is highly prioritised and contained in the electrode. The procedure followed
analysed by a team, that depending on the nature will depend on the type of reaction, situation,
of the complaint, can involve professionals from electrode-type, patient, etc. The next section presents
the Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, Clinical an overview of all the complaints that Ambu has
Research, Research and Development, and Process received during the last 6 years in relation to skin
Development Departments. reactions following the use of Ambu ECG electrodes.

After receiving the complaint-form from a customer, The review shows that the most typical causes are:
a handling process is started. The first step is to T he patient was allergic to a certain material
identify whether the problem was caused by a contained in the electrode. Neither the patient, nor
defect in the electrode. If the customer sent samples the doctors knew of the allergy.
of the device that caused the problem, tests are T he electrodes were used incorrectly (periods
performed on those devices; otherwise, electrodes longer than those recommended, in a wrong group
Cardiology
from the same batch are localised for testing. of patients, etc).
Internal use only

Typical cases Skin irritation due to wrong skin

preparation or use
Sometimes, skin reactions may occur after long-
Redness of the skin
term use of some electrodes. Further investigation
After removing the electrodes, redness of the skin
revealed that the electrodes were used for longer
may appear if the patient skin is sensitive to some
periods (3 to 7 days) than they are recommended
of the materials contained in the electrode or
for. Other cases revealed that before applying the
due to the mechanical stress when removing the
electrodes, the skin was unnecessary prepared using
electrode. Despite Ambu performs the mentioned
sandpaper, which caused severe skin irritation due to
in-vitro, in-vivo (animal), and clinical testing of the
epidermal stripping. In the some electrodes, the outer
electrodes during the developing phase, it may
adhesion-ring is designed such that the adhesion
happen that few patients are allergic or sensitive to
of the ring increases over time. By stripping the skin
certain chemicals, which normally would not cause
right before placing the electrodes, the electrode
adverse reactions. This risk increases if the skin of
adhesion increases even more causing skin irritation
the patient is damaged, or if the electrode has been
by itself or by mechanical reaction when removing
used for very long periods of time.
the electrode. Moreover, the hydrogel contains
components, which can penetrate deeper skin-layers
Sometimes it can be difficult to analyse these cases.
if the skin is stripped before electrode application,
Especially when the description of the situation is
increasing the risk of irritation.
insufficient or if the customer has not sent samples
of the electrode that caused the problem. One
If it is necessary to prepare the skin, it is common
important aspect is to analyse whether the reaction
practice to use alcohol wipes and letting the alcohol
was caused by the hydrogel or the adhesive.
evaporate before placing the electrodes. However
alcohol may increase skin impedance and is
Usually, patients and doctors want to know which
therefore not recommended. When the electrodes
materials are contained in the hydrogel and
have to be removed, it is helpful to use a few drops
adhesive. Under certain circumstances, Ambu can
of water, which act dissolving the adhesive and
disclose information regarding the substances
helping removal of the electrodes.
contained in the hydrogel.

Particular cases skin burnt under the electrodes, when they are used
in Magnetic Resonance (MR).
Allergic reaction
It is a rare possibility to observe an allergic reaction Ambu Blue Sensor MRX-electrodes can be used
after electrodes removal. safely during MR and X-ray procedures. A general
consideration when working with MR-scans is
Allergic reactions are sensitivities to a specific that any conductive material, which will be inside
substance, called an allergen, which in this case is the scan and in contact or close to the patient
contacted through the skin. Most reactions happen during the scan, should not form conductive loops.
soon after contact with the allergen. Substances This means that, for example, the electrode wires
that do not bother most of the people (such as should not be placed forming a loop. If the wires
venom from bee stings, some types of foods, and are forming a loop, the strong magnetic field of the
pollens) can trigger allergic reactions in some scanner will generate an electric current in the wires
people. While first-time exposure may only produce that will heat the electrodes and consequently burn
a mild reaction, repeated exposures may lead to the patient skin. In these cases it was important to
more serious reactions. Once a person is sensitised investigate the following issues: Did the burn occur
(has had a previous sensitivity reaction), even a very during the MR scan? Was the patient connected to
limited exposure to a very small amount of allergen other electric devices, which could have caused the
can trigger a severe reaction. burns before the MR-scan? Was the patient ECG-
monitored during electric-surgery? (If the patient
If the patient or the doctors do not know that the is incorrectly grounded, electricity from the electric
patient is allergic to a certain chemical substance, it scalpel can run through the ECG electrodes to the
is very difficult to prevent these situations. ground, burning the patient skin).

Skin burn After the case was investigated, it was concluded

Example of a skin burn under the electrode
It may be a rare situation to observe the patients that the burning was caused because the electrode
wires were forming a loop.
Cardiology
Internal use only

General affected skin areas and write detailed descriptions

of the case. This will help Ambu analysing the
recommendations case.
U se the electrodes as suggested in the Directions
Based on the reviewed cases, it is suggested that for Use.
the users are always reminded about the following D o not use electrodes for adults in children.
considerations: Blue Sensor MRX-electrode: do not make cable
In case of skin reaction, keep samples of the loops inside MR-scans.
electrode that caused the problem. This will help If skin preparation is needed, avoid using
Ambu analysing the case. sandpaper.
In case of skin reaction, take pictures of the If the electrode is strongly adhered to the skin,
use drops of water to facilitate electrode removal.

Conclusion electrode, but because a few people may be allergic

or sensitive to a certain substance. Sometimes,
This document has been prepared by
Nazarena Mazzaro, Clinical Research
hospitalised patients may be more vulnerable to Coordinator at Ambu A/S in May 2007.
Despite Ambu electrodes are developed and tested
certain substances that normally would not cause
to assure that the materials are biocompatible, it
any type of reaction, especially if they have been
is impossible to guarantee that no patients can
under medication for long periods. Finally, simple
eventually react to a certain substance contained in
recommendations like the ones listed above may
the gel or medical adhesive.
help to avoid some undesirable situations.
It is important to understand that patients
allergic reactions are not caused by a defect in the

Ambu A/S
Baltorpbakken 13
DK-2750 Ballerup
T +45 72 25 20 00
www.ambu.com
Cardiology