ECG with alternating electric axis in relation to left-sided tension pneumothorax: a case report and review of the literature. Issue 1 (1st January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schmidt, Diana Chabané; Andersson, Charlotte; Schultz, Hans Henrik
• Is Part Of: European clinical respiratory journal. Volume 5:Issue 1(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-01-01
• Subjects: Pneumothorax -- spontaneous -- electrocardiogram -- electric alternans; Lungs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Lung Diseases; Lungs -- Diseases; Respiratory organs -- Diseases; Europe; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.24
• DOI: 10.1080/20018525.2018.1495982
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2001-8525

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The incidence of spontaneous pneumothorax has been estimated to 7.4–18.0/100, 000 for men and 1.2–6.0/100, 000 for women. The most common symptoms are sudden chest pain and dyspnoea. Due to chest pain many patients have an electrocardiogram (ECG) done in the acute setting. We present a case of unusual findings of electric alternans in the electrocardiogram (ECG) in a patient with a left-sided spontaneous pneumothorax. Reviewing the literature we found five former cases of pneumothoraxes with electric alternans in the ECG, all occurring in relation to left-sided pneumothorax.