Rheumatic fever electrocardiogram


 * Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Varun Kumar, M.B.B.S.

Overview
Some of the electrocardiographic changes that may be noted in rheumatic heart disease include PR prolongation, conduction abnormalities, arryhthmias or P mitrale depending on the structures involved and the extent of cardiac damage.

Electrocardiogram
ECG changes depend on the structures involved and the extent of cardiac damage. Following ECG changes may be noted in patients with rhumatic fever.


 * Sinus tachycardia or bradycardia depending on vagal tone.


 * Prolongation of PR interval may be noted in some patients.


 * Variable degree of AV conduction block may be noted. But they generally resolve with the resolution of rheumatic fever.


 * P mitrale may be noted, which is suggestive of left atrial enlargement secondary to mitral valve abnormalities.


 * Mital valve abnormalities may lead to development of atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation.


 * T-wave inversions in may be noted in leads I, II and IV suggestive of pericardial invlovement.


 * ST segment elevation may also be present in leads II, III, aVF and V4 to V6 in patients with acute pericarditis.