[Electrocardiographic abnormalities in left pneumothorax].
Pneumothorax is a frequent complication among patients under mechanical ventilation or undergoing various invasive procedures. Its prevalence in intensive care units ranges from 3% to 14%. The electrocardiographic abnormalities described in left pneumothorax include poor precordial R-wave progression, precordial T wave inversion, phasic QRS voltage variation. QRS voltage ratio (aVF/DI) greater than 2 has high sensitivity and specificity. Electrocardiographic changes are secondary to several factors including clockwise rotation axis of the heart, dilated right ventricle, posterior displacement of the mediastinum, hypoxemia, and decreased coronary blood flow. We here describe a patient with left pneumothorax whose electrocardiographic features successfully reversed upon pneumothorax resolving.
Carrillo-Esper
Raúl
R
Unidad de Medicina Intensiva, Fundación Clínica Médica Sur, México D.F., México. seconcapcma@mail.medinet.net.mx
Garnica-Escamilla
Marco Antonio
MA
Carrillo-Córdova
Jorge Raúl
JR
D000368:Aged; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000503:physiopathology*