Extreme pulsus alternans with P wave alternans in a child

Pediatr Cardiol. 2002 Sep-Oct;23(5):557-61. doi: 10.1007/pl00021004.

Abstract

Pulsus alternans was observed in a child with left ventricular dysfunction secondary to systemic hypertension. The Echo-Doppler of supravalvular aorta and a simultaneous electrocardiographic trace (ECG) clearly demonstrated the mechanism of an apparent abrupt halving of pulse frequency compared with the ECG, similar to an electromechanical dissociation 2:1. Besides the extreme pulsus alternans, a P wave and a PP cycle length change were also observed. Both mechanical and electrical alternans disappeared with afterload reduction by nitroprusside treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cardiac Output / physiology
  • Child
  • Echocardiography, Doppler
  • Electrocardiography
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / complications
  • Hypertension / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Nitroprusside / therapeutic use
  • Pulse*
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / diagnostic imaging
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / etiology
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Nitroprusside