Twelve patients exhibited electrocardiographic evidence of fascicular block during hyperkalemia. Isolated left posterior hemiblock occurred in four, isolated left anterior hemiblock in two, right bundle branch block with left anterior hemiblock in two, right bundle branch block with left posterior hemiblock in one, left bundle branch block with abnormal left axis deviation in two and advanced atrioventricular block in one. In all seven patients with sinus rhythm the P-R interval shortened after correction of hyperkalemia. Electrophysiologic studies using His bundle recording and atrial pacing in one patient revealed intraatrial conduction delay and marked prolongation of conduction time in the His-Purkinje system. It is concluded that conduction defects in the specialized intraventricular conduction system are common in hyperkalemia and result in electrocardiographic patterns of fascicular block.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1975

Semi-automated ECG processing: A simple method to improve efficiency in ECG laboratories.

A method to expedite processing of electrocardiograms (ECGs) is described. The hardware configuration utilizes conventional equipment, and the ECG data is stored in magnetic data cards. The electrocardiographer's interpretation is made using a specially developed code of 253 diagnostic statements of 2 to 9 words each. A minicomputer converts the code into full alpha-numeric description and 2 characters into English statements. The diagnostic print-out appears in the same page as the reproduction of the original ECG data. This system has significantly reduced the ECG processing time, freed manpower to increase availability of technicians and decreased the size of permanent files.

Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted↗