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Total electrical alternans in a patient with tuberculous pericarditis
Summary
Total electrical alternans, an electrocardiographic finding, alternates all tracing components. This rare sign is linked to pericarditis with large effusions, aiding differential diagnosis from cardiomyopathy.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrocardiography
Background:
- Total electrical alternans is a rare electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormality.
- It involves alternation in direction and/or amplitude of all ECG components (P, QRS, T).
Observation:
- This phenomenon is observed in occasional cases of pericarditis with large pericardial effusions.
- It can mimic other cardiac conditions, complicating diagnosis.
Findings:
- The case report illustrates total electrical alternans in a patient with pericardial effusion.
- Postulated mechanisms explaining the phenomenon are reviewed.
Implications:
- Recognizing total electrical alternans can aid in differentiating pericardial effusion from cardiomyopathy.
- This ECG finding has diagnostic value in specific cardiac emergencies.