[Electrocardiographic changes in accidental hypothermia].
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.
Póvoa
R
R
Hospital Municipal Arthur Ribeiro de Saboya.
Arroyo
J B
JB
Ferreira
C
C
Kasinski
N
N
Póvoa
E F
EF
Orlando
J M
JM
Martinez Filho
E E
EE
D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000503:physiopathology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000503:physiopathology*
Alterações eletrocardiográficas na hipotermia acidental.