title: [Electrocardiographic changes in accidental hypothermia].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Electrocardiographic alterations were evaluated in a group of accidental hypothermia patients, and correlated with values of core temperature, pH and plasmatic concentrations of Na+, K+ and Cl-.
  
  
  METHODS
  Conventional 12-lead surface electrocardiograms were obtained in a group of 32 patients with accidental hypothermia after involuntary cold exposure. Cardiac arrhythmias, QRS configuration, ST-T segment and T wave alterations were analyzed. pH, Na+, K+ and Cl- serum concentrations were simultaneously measured. Electrocardiogram and electrolyte abnormalities were then correlated with the core temperature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-eight patients had abnormal electrocardiogram (90.6%). Sinus bradycardia and idioventricular rhythm were observed in 11 and 3 patients respectively. QT interval enlargement was found in 24 patients and Osborn wave in 28 cases. Altered T waves expressing an abnormal repolarization were observed in 23 cases. A significant negative correlation was obtained when J wave amplitude was correlated with core temperature levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hypothermia produces electrocardiographic abnormalities characterized by Osborn waves. Other minor findings include sinus bradycardia, idioventricular rhythm and long QT intervals.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Municipal Arthur Ribeiro de Saboya.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Póvoa
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Arroyo
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kasinski
authors.forename: E F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Póvoa
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Orlando
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Martinez Filho
mesh_terms: D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000503:physiopathology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000503:physiopathology*
vernacular_title: Alterações eletrocardiográficas na hipotermia acidental.