Inverted T waves in patient with Addisonian crisis

J Natl Med Assoc. 2005 Nov;97(11):1539-40.

Abstract

Addisonian crisis represents a state of acute adrenocortical insufficiency and occurs in patient with Addison's disease who are exposed to stress of infection, surgery, trauma, vomiting and diarrhea. We present a case with a 39-year-old female patient who admitted to the hospital with Addisonian crisis and, interestingly, her electrocardiograph showed ST depression and inverted T waves on inferior and V4-V6 leads. She did not have a history of angina pectoris and coronary artery disease, and her cardiac enzymes were normal. Exercise stress testing and echocardiographic assessment revealed normal findings. When faced with such a patient who has hypotension and ischemic ECG changes without having underlying angina, Addisonian crisis should be considered in differential diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Addison Disease / complications*
  • Addison Disease / diagnosis
  • Addison Disease / therapy
  • Adult
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / diagnosis*
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / etiology*
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Treatment Outcome