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Unusual electrocardiographic changes in intrathoracic conditions
N G Kounis1, C N Mallioris, D Karavias
1Department of Medicine, Ag. Andreas General Hospital, University of Patras, Greece.
Acta Cardiologica
|January 1, 1987
Summary
Unusual electrocardiogram voltage alternations were observed in patients with left spontaneous pneumothorax or eventration of the left diaphragm. These electrocardiographic findings correlated with disease presence and resolution, suggesting respiratory variations as a cause.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Intrathoracic conditions can present with diverse clinical manifestations.
- Electrocardiographic (ECG) changes are crucial for diagnosing cardiac and pulmonary issues.
- Phasic voltage alternations in ECGs are uncommon and require investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate unusual electrocardiographic findings in patients with specific intrathoracic conditions.
- To correlate ECG abnormalities with the clinical course of diseases like spontaneous pneumothorax and diaphragmatic eventration.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of electrocardiographic, roentgenographic, and clinical data from five patients.
- Detailed examination of ECG tracings for phasic voltage alternations.
- Correlation of ECG findings with diagnostic imaging and patient outcomes.
Main Results:
- Five patients with intrathoracic conditions were studied.
- Three patients with left spontaneous pneumothorax and one with left diaphragm eventration exhibited unusual phasic voltage alternations on their ECGs.
- These ECG abnormalities appeared during the active disease phase and resolved upon clinical improvement.
Conclusions:
- Phasic voltage alternations in ECGs may be associated with left spontaneous pneumothorax and left diaphragm eventration.
- Respiratory variation in intrathoracic anatomy or cardiac amplitude/swinging is a potential explanation for these ECG changes.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms and diagnostic significance of these findings.