This Article Abstract Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Bruch, C. Articles by Erbel, R. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Bruch, C. Articles by Erbel, R.

Changes in QRS voltage in cardiac tamponade and pericardial effusion: reversibility after pericardiocentesis and after anti-inflammatory drug treatment

^a Department of Cardiology, University of Essen, Essen, Germany

View larger version (22K): [in a new window]   Figure 1 (A) Maximum QRS amplitude in the limb leads in group A patients, who where treated with pericardiocentesis. AP = immediately after pericardiocentesis; BP = before pericardiocentesis; d3 = three days after pericardiocentesis; d6 = six days after pericardiocentesis. (B) Maximum QRS amplitude in the limb leads in group B patients, who were treated with anti-inflammatory medication. BT = before anti-inflammatory treatment; d6 = six days after initiation of anti-inflammatory medication. (C) Maximum QRS amplitude in the limb leads in group C patients (pericarditis). d0 = baseline measurement; d7 = after a seven-day follow-up.

View larger version (204K): [in a new window]   Figure 2 (A) Simultaneous echocardiography (left side of the panel, apical four-chamber view) and electrocardiogram recordings (right side of the panel) in a 64-year-old man who developed significant pericardial effusion (PE) with signs of cardiac tamponade three weeks after mitral valve replacement. Note the reduction of the QRS amplitude in the limb leads and concomitant nonspecific T wave abnormalities. (B) Same patient as in (A) after successful pericardiocentesis with removal of 600 ml of pericardial fluid. Note the even lower QRS voltage in the limb leads than before pericardiocentesis and the persistence of nonspecific T wave abnormalities. (C) Same patient six days after pericardiocentesis. The echocardiogram shows no evidence of recurrent effusion. QRS amplitude in the limb leads significantly increased. LV = left ventricle; RV = right ventricle.

View larger version (87K): [in a new window]   Figure 3 (A) A 23-year-old man with acute lymphatic leukemia who was treated with prednisolone due to recurrent malignant pericardial effusion. Note low QRS voltage in the limb leads before initiation of medical treatment. (B) Same patient as in (A) six days after initiation of anti-inflammatory treatment. Note the change of the QRS axis and the significant increase of maximum QRS amplitude in the limb leads. LV = left ventricle; RV = right ventricle.