What ECG abnormalities are associated with hypothermia?

What ECG abnormalities are associated with hypothermia?

The classic and well-known ECG manifestations of hypothermia include the presence of J (Osborn) waves, interval (PR, QRS, QT) prolongation, and atrial and ventricular arrhythmias.

Why does hypothermia cause atrial fibrillation?

Further cooling to severe hypothermia causes parallel changes in ventricular activation and repolarization, changes which are anti-arrhythmic.

Why does bradycardia occur in hypothermia?

Hypothermia results in decreased depolarization of cardiac pacemaker cells, causing bradycardia. Since this bradycardia is not vagally mediated, it can be refractory to standard therapies such as atropine.

What is a sine wave ECG?

The sine wave pattern is one of the manifestations of severe hyperkalemia. The sine wave pattern depicts worsening cardiac conduction delay caused by the elevated level of extracellular potassium. The morphology of this sinusoidal pattern on ECG results from the fusion of wide QRS complexes with T waves.

What does hypothermia look like on ECG?

The ECG findings of hypothermia include: An “Osborne wave” characterized by a notch in the downward portion of the R wave in the QRS complex. Low voltage. Bradycardia: This can be sinus bradycardia, junctional bradycardia, atrial fibrillation with a slow ventricular response or higher grade AV blocks.

What are Osborn or J waves on ECG?

The “J wave” (also referred to as “the Osborn wave,” “the J deflection,” or “the camel’s hump”) is a distinctive deflection occurring at the QRS-ST junction. In 1953, Dr. John Osborn described the “J wave” as an “injury current” resulting in ventricular fibrillation during experimental hypothermia.

What happens to the heart during hypothermia?

What are the ECG changes in hypokalemia?

ECG changes include flattening and inversion of T waves in mild hypokalemia, followed by Q-T interval prolongation, visible U wave and mild ST depression4 in more severe hypokalemia. Severe hypokalemia can also result in arrhythmias such as Torsades de points and ventricular tachycardia.

Can hypocalcemia cause EKG abnormalities?

Electrocardiogram and Hypocalcemia. In the presence of hypocalcemia, the ST segment and the QTc interval are prolonged. The duration of the ST segment is inversely related to the plasma calcium concentration 2. Usually lengthening of the ST segment and the QT interval are the only EKG abnormalities in hypocalcemia.

What are the signs and symptoms of hypothermia on EKG?

There are many electrocardiogram (EKG) manifestations of hypothermia. It is frequently associated with the appearance of a J wave (also called an Osborne wave) and with interval prolongation (PR, QRS, QT) 2. Hypotermia can cause EKG changes that mimic ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction ( STEMI ).

What ECG findings are characteristic of hypercalcemia?

Hypercalcemia: The most common ECG findings of hypercalcemia are a short QT interval (Ref. 1) secondary to a shortened ST segment. (Source 3) There may also be a widened or flattened T wave; however, significant hypercalcemia can cause ECG changes that mimic an acute myocardial infarction. (Ref.

Can hypercalcemia cause a flattened T wave on ECG?

(Source 3) There may also be a widened or flattened T wave; however, significant hypercalcemia can cause ECG changes that mimic an acute myocardial infarction. (Ref. 2,3) Hypercalcemia has also been known to cause an ECG finding mimicking hypothermia, known as an Osborn wave.