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Updated: May 16, 2026
05:03
Patient Directed Recording of a Bipolar Three-Lead Electrocardiogram using a Smartwatch with ECG Function
Published on: December 11, 2019
The importance of an ECG: back to basics
Golaleh Haidari1, Kirsty Gray, Senthil Kirubakaran
1Department of Genitourinary Medicine, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK. ghaidari@doctors.net.uk
BMJ Case Reports
|November 30, 2012
Summary
A 48-year-old man with shortness of breath was diagnosed with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. The cancer caused a large pericardial effusion, leading to syncope and requiring urgent treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Oncology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- A 48-year-old male smoker with a 30-pack-year history presented with worsening dyspnea.
- The patient experienced syncope, indicating a critical health event.
Observation:
- Physical examination revealed tachypnea, hypoxia, elevated jugular venous pressure, and diminished heart sounds.
- Chest X-ray showed right upper-lobe collapse, and ECG demonstrated electrical alternans.
- Echocardiography identified a large pericardial effusion with right ventricular diastolic collapse.
Findings:
- Cytology of pericardial and pleural fluid confirmed metastatic non-small cell adenocarcinoma.
- CT scan revealed bilateral pleural effusions and multiple lung nodules.
- Recurrent pericardial effusion necessitated a pericardial window procedure.
Implications:
- This case highlights a rare presentation of non-small cell lung cancer.
- Metastatic lung cancer can manifest with cardiac tamponade due to pericardial effusion.
- Prompt diagnosis and management, including pericardiocentesis and palliative chemotherapy, are crucial for patient outcomes.
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Definition
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Parts of an ECG
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Definition
An electrocardiogram (ECG) visualizes the heart's electrical activity by tracing the electrical movement associated with each heartbeat on a graph or monitor. As the heart beats, an electrical wave passes through it, correlating with the cardiac cycle events.
Parts of an ECG
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01:29Electrocardiogram
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