Displaying 1 - 10 of 12
Dawn's picture

Left Bundle Branch Block With Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

Submitted by Dawn on Tue, 09/20/2016 - 23:14

This 92-year-old patient was diagnosed with left bundle branch block on ECG, and left ventricular hypertrophy on echocardiogram.  The two conditions are very often seen together, in fact, a majority of LBBB patients have LVH.  Since the two conditions can have similar ECG changes, it is difficult from the ECG alone to determine the presence of LVH when LBBB is present.  If the ECG criteria for LVH are present, it can be assumed that LVH is present, even in the presence of LBBB.  For determining LVH by ECG criteria, the Sokolov-Lyon criteria are commonly used ( S wave in V1 + R wave in V5 or V6 > 35 mm). 

The common criteria for left bundle branch block include:  wide QRS complex, frontal plane axis normal or leftward, negative QRS in V1, and positive QRS in leads I and V6.   LBBB is only found in supraventricular rhythms (not ventricular rhythms).  The ST segment and T wave will be negative in leads with positive QRS complexes, and positive in leads with negative QRSs (discordant).

Left ventricular hypertrophy also widens the QRS, although not often as much as LBBB does.  There will be discordant ST segments and T waves, which is called the "strain" pattern.  It also is easier to diagnose in supraventricular rhythms, because ventricular rhythms usually have large QRS complexes due to the depolarization wave being in one direction across the heart.

For confirmation of LVH, an echocardiogram is recommended.

This ECG also has an interesting rhythm.  The first beat appears normal, the second beat is a PAC.  The third beat appears to arise from a different focus, which would make it an escape beat, but it is very difficult to determine this due to the very tiny P waves.  After a pause, a regular sinus rhythm resumes.  To see the P waves, look at the right chest leads:  V1, V2, V3.  Since left bundle branch block only occurs in SUPRAVENTRICULAR rhythms, it is important to determine the rhythm, and P waves are a definite sign of SV rhythm.  We wish the P waves here were taller.

Dawn's picture

Deep, Symmetrical T Wave Inversions

Submitted by Dawn on Tue, 12/15/2015 - 21:20

This ECG is from a 50-year-old man with chest pain.  Unfortunately, we don’t have any other clinical information.   This tracing is a good example of widespread, symmetrical inverted T waves.  Inverted T waves are present in Leads I, aVL, II, and V3 through V6. (The anterior-lateral leads).  There are ST segment elevations in Leads V1 and V2.  

Many conditions can cause inverted T waves, and bedside assessment is necessary to make a certain diagnosis.  Some T wave inversions are benign, such as in persistent juvenile T wave pattern.  Some can be due to life-threatening problems like pulmonary embolism, CNS injury, and cardiac ischemia.  T wave inversions can be secondary to conditions like left ventricular hypertrophy, left bundle branch block, and ventricular rhythms.  When T waves are deep and symmetrical as they are here, they may be a sign of acute coronary syndrome, or cardiac ischemia.  Since we know this patient had chest pain, and there is some ST elevation, this should be considered as a cause for his T wave changes. 

In addition to the dramatic T waves, he also has P waves suggestive of “P mitrale”, or left atrial enlargement.  The P waves in Lead II are wide (about 10 or 11 ms) and just over 1 mv tall. This is “borderline” for most LAE criteria.   The P waves in Lead V1 are biphasic, with the second portion negatively deflected and over 1 mv deep.  Acute myocardial infarction can cause left ventricular dysfunction, which can cause backup pressure to the left atrium. 

Inverted T waves, like all ST and T wave changes, should always be assessed in the context of the patient presentation, history, and previous ECGs, if available. 

References:  Consultantlive.com,   Dr. Ken Grauer

Dawn's picture

Inverted T waves in Lateral Wall

Submitted by Dawn on Tue, 11/10/2015 - 20:45

This ECG was obtained from a 49-year-old man who was a patient in an Emergency Dept.  We do not know his presenting complaint, only that he had a history of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).  It was noted by the donor of the ECG that the patient had no chest pain, no shortness of breath, and no other cardiac symptoms.  We do not know his hydration or electrolyte status.  There are quite a few interesting abnormalities on this ECG, and the exact interpretation would, of course, depend upon the patient's clinical status.  It would definitely help to be there!

First, we note a sinus tachycardia at a rate of 118 bpm.  This could be due to very many causes, including but not limited to:  dehydration, pain, anxiety, high or low blood glucose, fever, or CHF.  The PR and QT intervals are within normal limits.  The QRS complexes are narrow.  The axis is normal at 0 degrees.  The QRS voltage in the lateral leads is on the high side of normal, but we do not know this patient's body type.  Voltage as read by the ECG can be influenced by a thin chest (making voltage look larger) or a large chest (making voltage lower).

There are T wave abnormalities in the lateral leads:  I, aVL, V5 and V6.  The T waves are inverted, which can have many meanings.  However, when inverted T waves are in the lateral leads, as opposed to the inferior or right chest leads, it is often a sign of ischemia.  The flat, horizontal ST segments can also signify coronary artery disease (CAD).  This patient denied cardiac symptoms, but his age and history of IDDM make it probably that CAD is a factor.  The leads with T wave inversion also have a small amount of ST segment depression.  The right precordial leads, V1 and V2, have a small amount of ST elevation,  This possibly represents a reciprocal change to the ST depression in V5 and V6.

Because we are not at the bedside of this patient, there are many details we do not know.  But these inverted T waves could be ischemic T waves, and this requires that the patient be further evaluated.

As always, we welcome comments, as this ECG probably has more to say!

 

REFERENCES:  Dr. Ken Grauer,  Life In The Fast Lane, World Journal of Cardiology 

Dawn's picture

Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

Submitted by Dawn on Tue, 05/26/2015 - 14:36

This ECG shows voltage criteria for LVH (deep S waves V1-V3 and tall R waves V4 - V6). There are many criteria in use for determining LVH, but probably the most commonly used is the Sokolow-Lyon criteria.  This criteria says that if the voltage of the S wave in V1 PLUS the tallest R wave of V4, V5, and V6 equals 35 mm or more, the criteria are sufficient for LVH.

In order to diagnose LVH from the ECG, we must also show repolarization abnormalities, called the "strain pattern".  This is seen in sloping ST depressions in all leads with upright QRS complexes.  There will also be slight ST elevations (reciprocal to the depressions) in leads with negative QRSs.  Chest xray and echocardiogram are important in confirming the extent of the left ventricular enlargement. 

The axis of this ECG is not typical of LVH, as it is normal.  LVH usually has a left axis deviation.   In this ECG, Lead aVL appears to have a pathological Q wave.  Possible high lateral damage in the past has skewed the axis downward. The wide p waves in Lead II and the biphasic p waves in V1 may also indicate left atrial strain, a common finding with LVH, called "P mitrale".

Dawn's picture

ECG Basics: Sinus Rhythm With A Premature Beat

Submitted by Dawn on Thu, 03/19/2015 - 14:11

This strip offers something interesting for both your basic-level students and for your more advanced students.  First, it is a good example of sinus rhythm with a premature beat.  The PR interval was measured by the machine at .21 sec (218 ms).    The premature beat is supraventricular - that is, it is not a PVC.  Because of the slightly long PRI in this strip, it's P wave COULD be buried in the preceding T wave.  That would make this a premature atrial contraction (PAC).  

For discussion with your more advanced students, the P wave could, instead, be retrograde, and occurring during the QRS or slightly after it.  That would make the premature beat junctional, or an atrial echo beat. The origin of the premature beat is mostly academic - there is likely no clinical need to determine the origin.  

In looking for clues as to the origin of the premature beat, we would scrutinize the premature beats for "hidden" P waves.  Upright and before the premature beat would indicate a PAC.  Negative P waves before, during, or after the premature QRS would indicate PJCs.  In this strip, the T waves just before the premature beats are slightly deeper than the other T waves.  This could indicate atrial "echo", or reciprocal beats, which requires the presence of dual junctional pathways, in which the impulse turns around, reenters the atria, and causes a new beat.  It can be helpful to look at multiple leads (the more the better) in your search for P waves.  For a look at this patient's 12-lead ECG, go to this link.  

The P wave of a premature beat often penetrates the SA node and "resets" it, causing the next normal beat to occur after a "normal" R-to-R interval from the premature beat. This fact can help us find "hidden" P waves, as well.

Another interesting feature of this strip for your students who are interpreting 12-Lead ECGs, is that this ECG shows the criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy.  See the link above for the 12-lead and discussion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dawn's picture

Left Bundle Branch Block

Submitted by Dawn on Thu, 08/07/2014 - 21:57

This is a good example of sinus rhythm with left bundle branch block.  There is some irregularity due to a PAC at the beginning.  The QRS is wide at 144 ms (.14 seconds).  There is also first-degree AV block, with a prolonged PR interval of 228 ms.  The criteria for diagnosis of left BBB are:  wide QRS, supraventricular rhythm, and a negatively-deflected QRS in V1 with a positive QRS in Leads I and V6.  

Left bundle branch block can be associated with many forms of heart disease, including CHF.  It can be permanent, transient, intermittent, or rate-related.  The wide QRS of LBBB significantly decreases cardiac output, causing poor perfusion symptoms in some people.

This ECG is a good one for your students who are just transitioning from reading rhythm strips to reading 12-lead ECGs.  It shows the value of multi-lead assessment of rhythms. You will notice that P waves are difficult to see in some leads.  Armed with the knowledge that the four channels on this ECG are run simultaneously, you can show the students how finding P waves in one lead will allow you to find them in the leads that are above and below that lead. 

Similarly, it can be difficult to see the QRS width in some leads.  The leads in the same vertical column can help you see the QRS's true width, even if part of the QRS is "flat" in the isoelectric baseline.

Dawn's picture

Left Ventricular Hypertrophy With Strain

Submitted by Dawn on Thu, 12/12/2013 - 10:38

This ECG is from a man with left ventricular hypertrophy.  LVH causes taller-than-normal QRS complexes in leads oriented toward the left side of the heart, such as Leads I, II, aVL, V4, V5, and V6.  Leads on the opposite side, such as V1, V2, and V3, will have deeper-than-normal S waves.  A commonly-used criteria for determination of LVH is the  Sokolow-Lyon index:     S in V1 + R in V5 or V6 (whichever is larger) ≥ 35 mm (≥ 7 large squares);  and  R in aVL ≥ 11 mm.  There is no perfect ECG criteria for determining LVH. The most accurate way to evaluate the size and thickness of the chambers of the heart is echocardiogram (ultrasound).  Frequently, there is left axis deviation, especially if the hypertrophy is confined to the left ventricle.

The left ventricle can be enlarged for many reasons, some worse than others.  Athletes naturally enlarge the heart, as they work the muscle.  Pathological causes for LVH can include anything that strains the heart as it pushes against increased afterload, such as hypertension and aortic stenosis, and diseases of the myocardium, such as cardiac myopathies.

Dawn's picture

Acute M.I. In A Patient With Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

Submitted by Dawn on Sun, 07/07/2013 - 14:38

This 60-year-old man presented to the Emergency Department with chest pain and shortness of breath.  He gave a history of having seven coronary artery stents in the past.

This is a good ECG for demonstrating the voltage and ST criteria for LVH and acute anterio-lateral wall M.I. in the same patient, where both conditions have been confirmed by other tests.   If you are teaching the topics of ST elevation M.I., or left ventricular hypertrophy, you will probably have to address the issue that LVH can be considered a "mimic" for STEMI, especially for beginners.  This is because LVH causes ST depression in leads with upright QRS complexes, and reciprocal ST elevation in leads with negative QRS complexes.  This is called ST segment discordance.  The ST changes in LVH are due to the "strain" pattern, indicating strain on the left ventricular myocardium.  It is true that some ST elevation will appear in V1 and V2 in these patients, and can be mistaken for M.I.  In the ECG shown here, the patient has definite ST elevation in leads which would NORMALLY have depression in the LVH strain pattern.  Leads V3 through V6 and I and aVL have ST elevation that is not discordant, and is definitely real. In addition, the ST elevation in V1 and V2 are greater than expected for LVH alone.

The criteria most often used to determine LVH is the Sokolov-Lyon Criteria, (S wave in V1 + R wave in V5 or V6 = 35 mm).  It is best to confirm the LVH with echocardiograhy.

This patient was taken to the cath lab, and the M.I. was confirmed, although his case was lost to followup, and we do not know if he received more angioplasty, coronary artery bypass, or other treatment, or what his condition was post catheterization.

For a similar ECG and discussion on this site, go to this LINK.

Pages

All our content is FREE & COPYRIGHT FREE for non-commercial use

Please be courteous and leave any watermark or author attribution on content you reproduce.