Just hypercalcaemia or acute ST elevation myocardial infarction? A review of hypercalcaemia-related electrocardiographic changes

In elderly patients presenting with confusion and recurrent falls, conditions including infection, acute stroke, acute coronary events and electrolyte abnormalities have to be strongly considered as diagnostic possibilities. ECG is a non-invasive test that often serves as a useful tool in suggesting the underlying electrolyte disturbance. However, ECG must be interpreted with caution as it can, at times, be misleading, as in this case of hypercalcaemia seen by us. We discuss the different ECG findings in hypercalcaemic situations.