Hypothermia in psychiatric patients can cause reversible electrocardiographic changes such as sinus bradycardia, QT prolongation, and Osborn waves.
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Hypothermia should be considered in psychiatric patients with bradycardia or Osborn waves; these cases extend sparse reports on reversible ECG changes.
Hypothermia occurs when the core body temperature falls below 35°C, which, in severe cases, can lead to electrocardiographic changes. Several conditions that occur in the psychiatric population increase the risk of hypothermia. This risk can be further increased by the use of several classes of medications such as antipsychotics, beta-adrenergic antagonists and benzodiazepines. We report on three psychiatric patients who were admitted for hypothermia and developed electrocardiographic manifestations (sinus bradycardia, QT prolongation and Osborn waves), which completely resolved after treatment.
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Pelechas et al. (2016) studied this question.
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