Key result
Massive pulmonary embolism resulted in non-significant ECG changes compared to controls, including an increase in mean heart rate from 91 to 106 and minor amplitude changes in P, Q, R, and S waves.
Why the study?
What are the specific electrocardiographic changes associated with massive pulmonary embolism?
Observational (n=35)
What are the specific electrocardiographic changes associated with massive pulmonary embolism?
In a retrospective analysis of patients who died of massive pulmonary embolism, observed ECG changes including heart rate increases and minor wave amplitude shifts were not statistically significant.
ECG changes lack diagnostic value in fatal massive PE; leaves open prospective validation in living patients.
A retrospective analysis of ECG changes during lung embolism has been made in 35 patients (16 male, 19 female) who died of massive lung embolism. The presence of lung embolism or infarct was confirmed at autopsy. According to the ECG the mean heart rate increased from 91 to 106. The amplitude of the P wave increased in leads I, II, III and aVL and decreased in all precordial leads. A small increase in the O wave occurred in leads II, III, aVF, V1, V2 and V6. Only a small decrease in the R wave occurred in leads I, II and aVL. A small increase in the S wave occurred in leads I, II, V2-V6 when compared with the controls. None of the differences was, however, statistically significant.
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Antti Ahonen (1977) conducted an observational in Massive pulmonary embolism (n=35). Massive pulmonary embolism vs. Controls was evaluated on Electrocardiographic changes (heart rate and wave amplitudes). Massive pulmonary embolism resulted in non-significant ECG changes compared to controls, including an increase in mean heart rate from 91 to 106 and minor amplitude changes in P, Q, R, and S waves.
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