Low ECG voltage: Difference between revisions

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==Differential Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==
[[File:Low_Voltage_ECG.png|thumb|Specific causes of low voltage ECG]]
===[[Low ECG voltage]]===
[[File:Low voltage ECG.png|thumb|Sample ECG]]
==== Cardiac ====
=== Cardiac ===
*Post-[[MI]]
*Post-MI
*[[Infiltrative cardiomyopathy]]
*Infiltrative cardiomyopathy
*[[Myocarditis]]
*Myocarditis
*[[Hypothyroidism]]
*Hypothyroidism
 
=== Pericardial ===
==== Pericardial ====
*Effusion
*[[Pericardial effusion|Effusion]]
*Constrictive pericarditis
*Constrictive [[pericarditis]]
*Pneumopericardium
*Pneumopericardium
=== Extracardiac ===
 
*COPD (limb leads)
==== Extracardiac ====
*Pneumomediastinum
*[[COPD]] (limb leads)
*Pneumothorax
*[[Pneumomediastinum]]
*Pleural effusion
*[[Pneumothorax]]
*Pulmonary edema
*[[Pleural effusion]]
*Peripheral edema
*[[Pulmonary edema]]
*[[Peripheral edema]]
*Obesity
*Obesity



Revision as of 13:45, 5 June 2016

Background

General Causes

  • Fluid, fat or air attenuating signal
  • Myocardial infiltration
  • Loss of viable myocardium

Clinical Features

  • Frequently asymptomatic, depends on underlying cause

Differential Diagnosis

Low ECG voltage

Cardiac

Pericardial

Extracardiac

Diagnosis

  • ECG[1]
    • QRS < 5 mm in limb leads
    • QRS < 10 mm in chest leads

Management

  • Treat underlying condition

Disposition

  • Depends on underlying condition

See Also

References

  1. Madias JE. Low QRS voltage and its causes. J Electrocardiol. 2008;41(6):498–500. doi:10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2008.06.021