Over the past two decades, as a cardiac electrophysiologist, the electrocardiogram (ECG) has been at the centre of my clinical practice. What has continually captivated me are the ECG changes triggered by non-cardiac conditions. From the characteristic Osborn wave in hypothermia to the prognostic clues in tricyclic antidepressant toxicity and the critical patterns of severe hyperkalemia, these findings highlight the ECG’s value beyond heart disease alone. Yet, information on these topics is often scattered.
“Non-Cardiac Causes of ECG Abnormalities” brings these conditions together, explaining their mechanisms and illustrating them with real patient examples. In the chapter on electrolyte abnormalities, I have detailed their effects on cellular electrophysiology. The section on electrode misplacement features diagrams to facilitate understanding. Another extensively researched topic is toxins—both natural and synthetic—where I have endeavoured to cover all clinically relevant aspects.
I am grateful to my institution, mentors, colleagues, students, and patients, who have been my greatest teachers. I hope this book inspires readers to interpret every ECG with a wider perspective, always looking beyond the heart.
Author(s)
Sirin Apiyasawat
Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.
ISBN 978-81-990550-1-8 (Print)
ISBN 978-81-990550-9-4 (eBook)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-81-990550-1-8
Over the past two decades, as a cardiac electrophysiologist, the electrocardiogram (ECG) has been at the centre of my clinical practice. What has continually captivated me are the ECG changes triggered by non-cardiac conditions. From the characteristic Osborn wave in hypothermia to the prognostic clues in tricyclic antidepressant toxicity and the critical patterns of severe hyperkalemia, these findings highlight the ECG’s value beyond heart disease alone. Yet, information on these topics is often scattered.
“Non-Cardiac Causes of ECG Abnormalities” brings these conditions together, explaining their mechanisms and illustrating them with real patient examples. In the chapter on electrolyte abnormalities, I have detailed their effects on cellular electrophysiology. The section on electrode misplacement features diagrams to facilitate understanding. Another extensively researched topic is toxins—both natural and synthetic—where I have endeavoured to cover all clinically relevant aspects.
I am grateful to my institution, mentors, colleagues, students, and patients, who have been my greatest teachers. I hope this book inspires readers to interpret every ECG with a wider perspective, always looking beyond the heart.