Transient ECG Changes Associated with Right-Sided Pneumothorax – A Case Report

Ryan Lee^1, , Whitney Liehr¹ and Candice Lovelace²

¹Department Graduate Medical Education, Kaweah Health, Visalia, CA

²Department Internal Medicine, Kaweah Health, Visalia, CA

Cite this paper

Ryan Lee, Whitney Liehr and Candice Lovelace. Transient ECG Changes Associated with Right-Sided Pneumothorax – A Case Report. American Journal of Medical Case Reports. 2021; 9(9):456-459. doi: 10.12691/AJMCR-9-9-5

Abstract

Relatively few cases have been reported of electrocardiographic findings associated with pneumothoraces. This case report seeks to add to the literature regarding the transient ECG findings associated with a right-sided tension pneumothorax. Based on our extensive review, these findings have not been previously documented. Our patient was found to have a right-sided tension pneumothorax after intubation for acute hypoxic respiratory failure secondary to COVID-19 pneumonia. A 12-lead ECG revealed an accelerated junctional rhythm, left axis-deviation, and ST depressions in the anterolateral leads. All of these abnormalities resolved on repeat ECG two hours later after insertion of a chest tube. Based on these findings, we propose a possible mechanism explaining these ECG findings. Although not all pneumothoraces present with ECG findings, this case demonstrates that physicians must be aware of these changes, particularly because they may present as a mimicker of myocardial infarction.

Keywords

ECG findings, pneumothorax, case report

Copyright

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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