Correlation between surface and intracardiac electrocardiogram in a patient with inappropriate defibrillation shocks due to hyperkalemia

Intern Med. 2009;48(13):1153-6. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.48.2139. Epub 2009 Jul 1.

Abstract

A 39-year-old man received implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) shocks during sinus rhythm, triggered by an increase in amplitude and oversensing of intracardiac T waves, caused by hyperkalemia. After treatment of hyperkalemia, the T wave morphology normalized, and oversensing and inappropriate ICD shocks were eliminated. Alteration of the intracardiac electrogram was well correlated to the surface electrocardiogram (ECG) changes. Intracardiac T waves can be altered by hyperkalemia and it seems that this alteration can be estimated by surface ECG analysis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Defibrillators, Implantable / adverse effects*
  • Electric Countershock / adverse effects
  • Electrocardiography / methods*
  • Humans
  • Hyperkalemia / complications*
  • Hyperkalemia / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / complications
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / physiopathology
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / therapy