Hypothermia and Dextrocardia

Question 1

What is hypothermia?

Answer 1

Core body temperature <35’

Question 2

ECG Hypothermia

Answer 2

• sinus bradycardia
• slow junctional rhythms
• prolonged AV conduction (1’ to 3’)
• AF with slow ventricular response
• J point is above isoelectric line, prominent in precordial leads
  -prolonged PR, QRS and QT interval
• severe hypothermia can cause cardiac arrest due to VT/VF or asystole

Question 3

What is dextrocardia?

Answer 3

-heart condition where heart is flipped onto the other side
- could be part of situs invertus
-not usually associated with any symptoms

Question 4

ECG dextrocardia

Answer 4

• -ve QRS in I,II
• +ve in aVR
• RAD
• poor R wave progression in V1-V6
• low voltage in V3-V6