Misinterpretation of electrocardiogram as a result of cable malfunction.
A case of a 65-year-old man with known coronary artery disease who presented to the hospital with chest tightness was reported. Electrocardiogram (ECG) changes and positive cardiac enzymes prompted catheterization, which revealed diffuse coronary artery disease. A repeated ECG done as a follow-up the next morning showed significant changes, which first raised the concern of a deterioration in the patient's condition and maybe a need for further intervention. Looking carefully at the ECG, an identical pattern of leads V 2 to V 6 was noted. After a thorough investigation, a cable malfunction was found to be the source of the erroneous misinterpretation, and the cable was subsequently replaced.
Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38104, USA.
Rami N
RN
Khouzam
D000368:Aged; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000503:physiopathology; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D017097:Electric Impedance; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000503:physiopathology