"Intermittent" and transient ST-segment elevation following direct current cardioversion.
Transient ST-segment elevation immediately following direct current cardioversion is a clearly documented occurrence in a small percentage of cases. Two main explanations have been suggested: myocardial injury or coronary vasospasm. We report two cases of "intermittent" and transient ST-segment elevation after cardioversion. Such intermittent elevation of the ST segment has not been reported previously. We hypothesize that this electrocardiographic observation is explained by a timing difference induced by electroshock in the action potential between the epicardium and endocardium.
Cantor
A
A
Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit, Heart Institute, Soroka University Hospital, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
Stein
B
B
Keynan
A
A
D000200:Action Potentials; D004554:Electric Countershock; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004699:Endocardium / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010496:Pericardium / Q000502:physiology