Electrical alternans: Difference between revisions

Electrical alternans
	ECG showing electrical alternans
Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Palpitations, dizziness, syncope
Complications	Cardiac tamponade, heart failure
Onset	Sudden
Duration	Variable
Types	N/A
Causes	Pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, supraventricular tachycardia
Risks	Pericarditis, myocardial infarction, heart surgery
Diagnosis	Electrocardiogram
Differential diagnosis	Pericarditis, myocardial infarction, ventricular tachycardia
Prevention	Managing underlying conditions
Treatment	Pericardiocentesis, antiarrhythmic drugs
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Depends on underlying cause
Frequency	Rare
Deaths	N/A

Latest revision as of 15:35, 6 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Electrical alternans is a phenomenon observed in the electrocardiogram (ECG) characterized by alternating amplitude or axis of the QRS complexes. It is often associated with pericardial effusion and can be an important diagnostic clue in clinical practice.

Pathophysiology[edit]

Electrical alternans occurs due to the swinging motion of the heart within a large volume of pericardial fluid, which causes changes in the electrical axis and amplitude of the heart's electrical activity. This is most commonly seen in cases of cardiac tamponade, where the accumulation of fluid in the pericardial cavity exerts pressure on the heart, affecting its normal function.

Clinical Significance[edit]

The presence of electrical alternans on an ECG is a significant finding that can indicate the presence of a large pericardial effusion. It is important for clinicians to recognize this pattern as it may necessitate urgent intervention, such as pericardiocentesis, to relieve the pressure on the heart.

Diagnosis[edit]

Electrical alternans is diagnosed through careful analysis of the ECG. It is characterized by:

Alternating QRS complex amplitude or axis in a regular pattern.
It may be accompanied by other signs of pericardial effusion, such as low voltage QRS complexes.

Management[edit]

Management of electrical alternans involves addressing the underlying cause, typically a pericardial effusion. Treatment options may include:

Pericardiocentesis to remove excess fluid from the pericardial space.
Surgical intervention in cases of recurrent effusion or tamponade.
Medical management of the underlying condition causing the effusion.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Electrical alternans''' is a phenomenon in [[electrocardiography]] where there is a variation in the amplitude or axis of the QRS complex in an alternating pattern. This condition is often associated with [[pericardial effusion]] and [[cardiac tamponade]], and can be a sign of severe [[cardiac disease]].
+{{SI}}
+{{Infobox medical condition
-== Overview ==
+| name           = Electrical alternans
+| image          = [[File:Electrical_Alternans.JPG|left|thumb|ECG showing electrical alternans]]
-Electrical alternans is characterized by alternating changes in the amplitude or axis of the QRS complex on an electrocardiogram. This can be seen in conditions such as pericardial effusion, where fluid accumulates around the heart, and cardiac tamponade, a serious condition where the heart is compressed by the fluid.
+| caption        = Electrocardiogram (ECG) showing electrical alternans
+| field          = [[Cardiology]]
-== Causes ==
+| symptoms       = [[Palpitations]], [[dizziness]], [[syncope]]
+| complications  = [[Cardiac tamponade]], [[heart failure]]
-The most common cause of electrical alternans is pericardial effusion. Other causes can include:
+| onset          = Sudden
+| duration       = Variable
-* Cardiac tamponade
+| causes         = [[Pericardial effusion]], [[cardiac tamponade]], [[supraventricular tachycardia]]
-* Severe [[heart failure]]
+| risks          = [[Pericarditis]], [[myocardial infarction]], [[heart surgery]]
-* [[Pulmonary embolism]]
+| diagnosis      = [[Electrocardiogram]]
-* [[Myocardial infarction]]
+| differential   = [[Pericarditis]], [[myocardial infarction]], [[ventricular tachycardia]]
+| prevention     = Managing underlying conditions
+| treatment      = [[Pericardiocentesis]], [[antiarrhythmic drugs]]
+| prognosis      = Depends on underlying cause
+| frequency      = Rare
+}}
+{{DISPLAYTITLE:Electrical Alternans}}
+'''Electrical alternans''' is a phenomenon observed in the [[electrocardiogram]] (ECG) characterized by alternating amplitude or axis of the QRS complexes. It is often associated with [[pericardial effusion]] and can be an important diagnostic clue in clinical practice.
+== Pathophysiology ==
+Electrical alternans occurs due to the swinging motion of the heart within a large volume of pericardial fluid, which causes changes in the electrical axis and amplitude of the heart's electrical activity. This is most commonly seen in cases of [[cardiac tamponade]], where the accumulation of fluid in the [[pericardial cavity]] exerts pressure on the heart, affecting its normal function.
+== Clinical Significance ==
+The presence of electrical alternans on an ECG is a significant finding that can indicate the presence of a large pericardial effusion. It is important for clinicians to recognize this pattern as it may necessitate urgent intervention, such as pericardiocentesis, to relieve the pressure on the heart.
 == Diagnosis ==
+Electrical alternans is diagnosed through careful analysis of the ECG. It is characterized by:
-Diagnosis of electrical alternans is typically made through electrocardiography. The alternating pattern of the QRS complex is a key indicator of this condition.
+* Alternating QRS complex amplitude or axis in a regular pattern.
+* It may be accompanied by other signs of pericardial effusion, such as low voltage QRS complexes.
-== Treatment ==
+== Management ==
+Management of electrical alternans involves addressing the underlying cause, typically a pericardial effusion. Treatment options may include:
-Treatment for electrical alternans focuses on addressing the underlying cause. This can include draining the fluid from around the heart in cases of pericardial effusion or cardiac tamponade, or treating the heart failure or pulmonary embolism.
+* Pericardiocentesis to remove excess fluid from the pericardial space.
+* Surgical intervention in cases of recurrent effusion or tamponade.
+* Medical management of the underlying condition causing the effusion.
 == See also ==
-* [[Electrocardiography]]
 * [[Pericardial effusion]]
 * [[Cardiac tamponade]]
-* [[Heart failure]]
+* [[Electrocardiogram]]
-* [[Pulmonary embolism]]
+* [[Pericardiocentesis]]
-* [[Myocardial infarction]]
 [[Category:Cardiology]]
-[[Category:Medical conditions]]
+[[Category:Electrophysiology]]
-[[Category:Electrocardiography]]
-{{stub}}