Ecg Gain Control - Arrow AutoCAT 2 Series Operating Manual

3 . P r i n c i p l e s o f O p e r a t i o n
3 . 3 : C o n t r o l K e y s a n d F u n c t i o n K e y s
ECG Gain Control —
AUTO GAIN Mode (AutoPilot
Autogain of ECG signal functions continuously, so there is normally no need to adjust
the ECG size. In this mode, the AutoCAT
pump. In most cases this will result in a stable ECG trigger. If the ECG is biphasic or
varies significantly from beat to beat, you may use the < or > keys to increase or decrease
the AUTOGAIN level. If a stable trigger cannot be established you may want to use the
MANUAL mode. If the AutoCAT
beats are smaller than the average QRS complexes, the > GAIN key may be used in the
AUTO mode to increase the size of ALL beats.
If the AutoCAT ® 2 Series is double triggering on some QRS complexes or P and T waves
and those beats are larger than the average QRS complexes or P and T waves, the
<GAIN key may be used in the AUTO mode to decrease the size of ALL beats.
Note: If the AUTOGAIN target level is changed, (increased or decreased) the change remains in
effect until you change the ECG lead. When the ECG lead is changed, whether automatically or
by the user, AUTOGAIN resets the size to the optimal level. You should reassess the triggering
and adjust the AUTOGAIN target level if the situation so dictates. Even upon return to the
previous lead, AUTOGAIN will be reset to the optimal target level and may need to be
readjusted.
MANUAL Gain Mode (AutoPilot
In some clinical situations such as transport or in the Operating room, the ECG may be
so variable that AUTOGAIN will not produce stable triggering. In rare cases, this may
also occur with very large abherent beats, such as PVC's.
If this situation occurs, you may select the MANUAL gain mode. In this mode, the ECG
size will change only when a new lead/ECG Source is selected or when the <GAIN or
>GAIN keys are pressed. This may result in improved triggering under these conditions.
It may also be helpful to change the ECG lead to minimize the difference between the size
of different QRS complexes. Verify that there is good lead contact with the skin, which
will improve the quality of the ECG waveform and triggering performance of the
AutoCAT ® 2 Series. Autogain and Manual Gain controls have the same function in both
AutoPilot ™ and Operator mode.
Pacer Detection
The AutoCAT ® 2 IABP Series has the ability to detect pacer spikes from the patient or a
bedside monitor. Direct ECG skin connection via the 5 lead cable is preferred when a
pacing spike is present. When a slave connection from a bedside monitor to the
AutoCAT 2 Series is used, ensure that pacer detection is turned ON at a bedside
®
monitor.

ECG Gain Control

3-30
™ and Operator Mode)
2 Series will optimize the gain required by the
®
® 2 Series is missing some QRS complexes and those
and Operator Mode)
™