New Inferior ECG Changes Are Common in Patients with Pulmonary Embolism

In a retrospective review of patients newly diagnosed with PE, new electrocardiogram changes were found in the inferior leads in nearly one third of patients.

Researchers performed a retrospective chart review to characterize electrocardiogram (ECG) changes in 352 patients (mean age, 68 years) newly diagnosed with pulmonary embolism (PE). Patients were included if they were diagnosed with PE by VQ scan or computed tomography (CT) pulmonary angiogram, or had suspected PE with evidence of right heart strain on echocardiogram. In addition, patients were required to have had an ECG performed at the time of presentation and a previous ECG for comparison in the electronic medical record. Ten percent of ECGs were also read by a second emergency physician to ascertain integrity of the initial ECG evaluation.

Of the 352 patients, 285 were diagnosed by CT, 64 by VQ scan, and 3 by a combination of clinical s…

Reviewing Author

Richard L. Byyny, MD, MSc, FACEP

Disclosures

EquityZimmer; Aetna

Editorial BoardsAmerican College of Emergency Physicians Clinical Policies Committee

Richard L. Byyny, MD, MSc, FACEP

Disclosures

EquityZimmer; Aetna

Editorial BoardsAmerican College of Emergency Physicians Clinical Policies Committee

New Inferior ECG Changes Are Common in Patients with Pulmonary Embolism

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Reviewing Author