2022-06-18 17:36:34
An 80-year-old woman complained of breathlessness and frequent attacks of dizziness. This was her ECG when she attended the clinic. What does the ECG show, what might the dizziness be due to, and how would you manage her?
*Detailed Answer
The ECG shows:
• Sinus rhythm, rate 90 bpm
• Right axis deviation
• Right bundle branch block (RBBB).
*Clinical interpretation
The right axis deviation suggests left posterior hemiblock, and, combined with RBBB, this suggests bifascicular block. The patient is therefore at risk of complete (third degree) block, which could cause a Stokes–Adams attack.
What to do?
Ambulatory monitoring is required to confirm bradyarrhythmias. This woman was in fact admitted to hospital and monitored, and had a severe attack of dizziness and fainting. During this attack, another ECG was recorded (see below). This ECG shows complete heart block with a ventricular rate of about 15 bpm. The patient was immediately given a permanent pacemaker.
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