[Electrical alternans, electrocardiogram pattern in the diagnosis of a severe heart disease]
J T Gómez Sáenz1, M J Gérez-Callejas, R Zangróniz Uruñuela
1Medicina de Familia, Centro de Salud de Nájera, España. jtgomez@riojasalud.es
Abstract:
Electrical alternans is a broad term that describes alternate-beat variation in the direction, amplitude and duration of any component of the ECG wave-form. It is associated with cardiac tamponade, serious ventricular arrhythmias, and sudden death. We present the clinical case of a 77-year-old female with electrical alternans, from which a diagnosis of cardiac tamponade was established.
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