A muscle tremor on an EKG is commonly referred to as what?

A muscle tremor on an EKG is commonly referred to as a wandering baseline because this term describes the irregular movement of the EKG tracing due to the influence of muscle activity. Essentially, the baseline, or isoelectric line, may shift up and down as non-cardiac muscle contractions cause interference with the electrical signals being recorded. This can result from patient movement or tremors, leading to a tracing that resembles a wandering pattern instead of maintaining a stable position.

In the context of EKG interpretation, recognizing a wandering baseline is crucial because it can mimic arrhythmias or other cardiac issues, potentially leading to misdiagnosis. Understanding this concept helps healthcare professionals distinguish between actual cardiac events and artifacts resulting from muscle activity.