Electrocardiographic changes in massive pulmonary embolism. II. Analysis of the changes in ST segment and T wave

A retrospective analysis of the changes in ST segment and T wave has been made in 35 patients (16 male, 19 female) with massive pulmonary embolism in whom the diagnosis was confirmed at autopsy. Parameters of the last two ECGs available were measured and compared. It was found that during massive pulmonary embolism the most characteristic abnormalities were a decrease in ST segment, which took place in about 70% in leads I and V5-V6. Another common change was the inversion of the T wave, which took place in 43% in aVF, and in 37% in lead II. None of the changes, however, was statistically significant.