Myxœdema Diagnosed on ECG

Report:

Sinus rhythm 92/min

Low voltage throughout (absolute small voltage)[! XE "Low voltage" \t "See Small voltage" !]

Prolonged QT interval 0.40”

QTc 0.48’

Diffuse nonspecific T wave changes

Comment:

The patient was quite distressed post-laparotomy for perforated diverticulum: hence the fast rate. She looked myxœdematous, down to missing outer third of her eyebrows, but I did not think of it – such is the professional deformation – until I saw her ECG.

It was a mixed blessing: with treatment, she developed AF with rapid response (Fig 289a below). Fortunately she did not have ischæmic heart disease as well.

289a. The benefit of thyroxine.

290. 13 months old boy with Noonan’s syndrome

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