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The Characteristic Electrocardiogram of Accidental Hypothermia
Alfonso Trevino, MD;
Bijan Razi, MD;
Barry M. Beller, MD
Arch Intern Med. 1971;127(3):470-473.
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| Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings. |
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There are few electrocardiographic patterns which are distinctive enough to be considered characteristic of a particular metabolic abnormality. The electrocardiogram of profound accidental hypothermia is, however, frequently diagnostic of that condition. Although the pattern has been previously reported,1-5 it is apparently not well enough known to be immediately recognized. We have recently had experience with an elderly patient who became hypothermic as a result of a cerebrovascular accident and neglect. Her initial ECG was diagnostic of hypothermia, but the abnormalities were not immediately recognized by either the house staff or her attending physicians until a literature search was carried out. Since prompt recognition of this condition and its cardiac effects is essential for the institution of optimal therapy, we present the case history and ECG of our patient to emphasize the diagnostic value of the ECG in this condition.
Patient Summary
A 90-year-old woman was seen in the emergency
. . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]
Author Affiliations
San Antonio, Tex
From the Section of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Physiology and Medicine, University of Texas Medical School-Bexar County Teaching Hospital, San Antonio, Tex.
Footnotes
Received for publication June 27, 1970; accepted Aug 30.
Reprint requests to Associate Professor, Section of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Physiology and Medicine, University of Texas Medical School, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr, San Antonio, Tex 78229 (Dr. Beller).
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