title: [A dyspnoeic male with abnormal QRS complexes].
abstract: A 69-year-old patient came to the Emergency Department with dyspnea on exertion. ECG showed QRS alternans and echocardiography showed pericardial effusion. The diagnosis 'pericarditis carcinomatosis' was made after pericardial fenestration. QRS alternans is caused by the swinging motion of the heart, due to the excess of pericardial fluid.
authors.affiliation: Zaans Medisch Centrum, afd. Cardiologie, Zaandam.
authors.forename: Joeri A J
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Douma
authors.forename: Jeroen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schotten
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004452:Echocardiography; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D010491:Pericardial Window Techniques; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery