Cardiac tamponade electrocardiogram
Electrocardiogram
EKG findings of cardiac tamponade are:
- Sinus tachycardia
- Electrical alternans (beat-to-beat alterations in the QRS complex due to swinging of heart in pericardial fluid)
- Low voltage QRS complexes (Low QRS voltage is defined as maximum QRS amplitude in precordial lead < 1 mV and <0.5 mV in the limb leads due to insulating properties of fluid) [1].
- ST segment [2].
- EKG findings of pericarditis, and pericardial effusion may be seen if these conditions are accompanying tamponade.
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Cardiac Tamponade with low voltage QRS complex and Electrical Alternans
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12 lead EKG shows Cardiac Tamponade with Electrical Alternans
