Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 19, 2025
Real-Time Cardiac Mapping with a Noninvasive Imageless Electrocardiographic Imaging System
Published on: April 11, 2025
A Distinctive Electrocardiographic Pattern: Unveiling the Spiked Helmet Sign
Mascha Bosnjak1, Thomas Nottingham2, Gabriela Strey2
1School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Background:
The spiked helmet sign (SHS) on electrocardiogram (ECG) is a rare and distinctive pattern of ST-segment elevation resembling a traditional spiked German military helmet. Counterintuitively, it is typically not associated with cardiac conditions.
Case Summary:
We report a case of gastric dilatation with this ECG phenomenon.
Discussion:
SHS is an uncommon ST-segment elevation manifestation of gastric dilatation likely due to gastric distention-induced vagal stimulation affecting cardiac repolarization. ST-segment elevations in the ECGs of acutely ill patients can have different causes, eg, left bundle branch block, early repolarization, pericarditis, TakoTsubo cardiomyopathy, and gastric dilatation. Recognition of the underlying cause is crucial to accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.
Take-Home Messages:
ECG changes must be interpreted in the context of the patients' condition and other investigation results such as troponin, electrolytes, and imaging. ECG findings including SHS can be easily misinterpreted and prompt inappropriate management.
More Related Videos
18:11A Research Method For Detecting Transient Myocardial Ischemia In Patients With Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome Using Continuous ST-segment Analysis
Published on: December 28, 2012
08:22Author Spotlight: Advancing the Study of Brain-Heart Interplay with a Comprehensive EEGLAB Plugin for Multimodal Signal Analysis
Published on: April 26, 2024
Related Concept Videos
01:29Electrocardiogram
Three major waveforms are present in a typical ECG recording: the P wave, the QRS complex, and...
01:28Electrocardiogram Fundamentals
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a diagnostic tool for identifying cardiac conditions such as arrhythmias, conduction abnormalities, and myocardial ischemia.
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
An ECG utilizes electrodes on the skin...
01:25Correlation between ECG and Cardiac Cycle
A cardiac action potential originates in the SA node and spreads throughout the atria and the AV node in approximately 0.03 seconds. This results in the P wave in an ECG and triggers atrial contraction. The action potential is then briefly slowed at the AV node, allowing the atria to contract and fill the ventricles with blood before...
01:24ECG Interpretation of Rhythms
Components of the Electrocardiogram
The primary components of a normal ECG waveform in Normal sinus rhythm(NSR) include the P wave, PR interval, QRS complex, ST segment, T wave, and occasionally a U wave.
ECG waveforms are divided by vertical and horizontal lines at standard intervals.
The horizontal axis measures time and rate, and the vertical axis measures amplitude or voltage....
01:25ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias
01:30Cardiac Action Potential
The cardiac action potential process involves a series of phases characterized by the movement of ions across the cardiac cell membranes, leading to the depolarization and repolarization of the cardiac myocytes.
Ionic Basis of Cardiac Action Potentials