Electrical alternans

	Pericarditis Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
HIV
Post MI
Dressler's syndrome
Post-pericardiotomy
Radiation
Tuberculosis
Uremia
Malignancy
Differentiating Pericarditis from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Pericardial Effusion
Cardiac Tamponade
Constrictive Pericarditis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Study of Choice
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram
X-ray
Echocardiography and Ultrasound
CT scan
MRI
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Pericardiocentesis
Pericardial Window
Pericardial Stripping
Treatment Related Videos
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Electrical alternans On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Google Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Electrical alternans All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Electrical alternans
CDC on Electrical alternans
Electrical alternans in the news
Blogs on Electrical alternans
Directions to Hospitals Treating Type page name here
Risk calculators and risk factors for Electrical alternans

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Synonyms and keywords: QRS alternans, alternans

Overview

Electrical alternans is an electrocardiographic phenomenon of alternation of QRS complex amplitude or axis between beats.

It is seen in cardiac tamponade and is thought to be related to changes in the ventricular electrical axis due to fluid in the pericardium.