PRINCIPAIS ALTERAÇÕES ELETROCARDIOGRÁFICAS ENCONTRADAS EM PACIENTES COM PERICARDITE

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.09923091121

• Palavras-chave: Pericardite. Alterações eletrocardiográficas. Eletrocardiograma.

• Keywords: Pericarditis. Electrocardiographic Changes. Electrocardiogram.

• Abstract: Pericarditis is an inflammatory process of the pericardium that occurs due to several causes and can present as a primary and secondary disease. Most of the time, it is benign and self-limiting, and it may present with effusion or pericardial constriction. It can be classified according to the evolution and the form that it presents clinically in: acute, chronic, pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade, constrictive and recurrent. The electrocardiographic alterations of pericarditis occur in the PR, ST segments and in the rhythm, varying according to the phase it is in. However, in up to 6% of cases, the electrocardiogram (ECG) may be normal. In acute pericarditis, electrocardiographic alterations occur in four stages: in stage I, concave and diffuse ST segment elevation, peaked T wave, and PR segment depression occur; in II, there is normalization of theST and PR segments and flattening of the T wave; in III, the inversion of the diffuse T wave occurs, simulating myocardial ischemia; and in IV there is a return to normality of the T wave, which may happen weeks or months after the initial event. Rhythm Changes can happen at any stage and range from sinus tachycardia to atrial arrhythmias. When a change in QRS morphology or amplitude occurs, pericarditis is associated with massive pericardial effusion and signs of cardiac tamponade. In chronic pericarditis, what can happen are inverted T waves and low QRS amplitude. The diagnosis of pericarditis is given when the ST/T ratio is equal to or greater than 0.25. When pericarditis is diagnosed, all electrocardiographic alterations must always be analyzed in order to provide adequate and effective treatment.