Electrocardiogram artifact caused by rigors mimicking narrow complex tachycardia: a case report

BMC Research Notes

Jegarajah Indrakumar²  Anne Thushara Matthias¹ 

[1] University Medical Unit, Colombo South Teaching Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka;Department of Medicine, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka

关键词: Rigors;    Supra ventricular tachycardia;    Arrhythmia;   

Others  :  1134597
DOI  :  10.1186/1756-0500-7-80

 received in 2013-06-13, accepted in 2014-02-03,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Background

The electrocardiogram (ECG) is useful in the diagnosis of cardiac and non-cardiac conditions. Rigors due to shivering can cause electrocardiogram artifacts mimicking various cardiac rhythm abnormalities.

Case presentation

We describe an 80-year-old Sri Lankan man with an abnormal electrocardiogram mimicking narrow complex tachycardia during the immediate post-operative period. Electrocardiogram changes caused by muscle tremor during rigors could mimic a narrow complex tachycardia.

Conclusions

Identification of muscle tremor as a cause of electrocardiogram artifact can avoid unnecessary pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention to prevent arrhythmias.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Matthias and Indrakumar; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

Figure 1.

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