This application note is concerned with the possibility of performing high-resolution ECG measurements in the MRI, during EPI. High-resolution ECG recordings are possible in the noisy MRI environment if signal averaging is performed. However, for signal averaging to be performed on ECG data, it’s important to be able to reliably identify locations of QRS complexes on the ECG data record.

By using the BIOPAC ECG100C-MRI amplifier with AcqKnowledge Analysis tools, component waves in the ECG data record can be reliably located during EPI. The BIOPAC ECG100C-MRI amplifier can be used to collect electrocardiogram (ECG) data from a subject, in the MRI, during EPI sequencing. The ECG100C-MRI will nearly entirely reject EPI interference to record the ECG manifested at the electrode recording locations. The EPI artifact rejection capability is typically on the order of 40dB, as referenced to the artifact typically present on an ECG waveform not treated with artifact rejection.