Abstract
Background: The physiological actions of magnesium within the cardiac conduction system and myocytes have yet to be fully elucidated. Because concurrent hypocalcemia or hypokalemia were also present in previous human reports, specific electrocardiographic effects of isolated hypomagnesemia have not been clearly delineated. Objective: We report a case in which dynamic electrocardiogram (ECG) changes were demonstrated in isolated hypomagnesemia. Case Report: A 37-year-old man with history of heavy alcohol use was admitted for syncope. The ECG showed global T-wave inversions with prolonged corrected QT (QTc) duration on ECG. Extensive work-up including cardiac catheterization was unremarkable. His serum magnesium was noted to be low at 1.1 mg/dL, and his serum calcium and potassium were within normal limits. The patient received magnesium infusion with subsequent ECGs showing resolution of his global T-wave inversions and prolonged QTc. Conclusion: This case is unique because it reports dynamic ECG changes in a patient with isolated hypomagnesemia. Although isolated hypomagnesemia is commonly believed to result in dysrhythmia, we were unaware of any previous cases of ECG abnormalities in humans. Clinically, we advise checking serum magnesium and correcting hypomagnesemia when prolonged QTc duration and global T-wave inversions are seen on ECG.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Journal | Journal of Emergency Medicine |
| Volume | 45 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Oct 2013 |
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Keywords
- electrocardiogram
- electrolyte abnormalities
- hypomagnesemia
- T-wave inversions
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Emergency Medicine
Cite this
Global T-wave inversions with isolated hypomagnesemia. / Tsai, Ting F.; Browning, Alyssa C.; Rutledge, John C.
In: Journal of Emergency Medicine, Vol. 45, No. 4, 10.2013.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Global T-wave inversions with isolated hypomagnesemia
AU - Tsai, Ting F.
AU - Browning, Alyssa C.
AU - Rutledge, John C
PY - 2013/10
Y1 - 2013/10
N2 - Background: The physiological actions of magnesium within the cardiac conduction system and myocytes have yet to be fully elucidated. Because concurrent hypocalcemia or hypokalemia were also present in previous human reports, specific electrocardiographic effects of isolated hypomagnesemia have not been clearly delineated. Objective: We report a case in which dynamic electrocardiogram (ECG) changes were demonstrated in isolated hypomagnesemia. Case Report: A 37-year-old man with history of heavy alcohol use was admitted for syncope. The ECG showed global T-wave inversions with prolonged corrected QT (QTc) duration on ECG. Extensive work-up including cardiac catheterization was unremarkable. His serum magnesium was noted to be low at 1.1 mg/dL, and his serum calcium and potassium were within normal limits. The patient received magnesium infusion with subsequent ECGs showing resolution of his global T-wave inversions and prolonged QTc. Conclusion: This case is unique because it reports dynamic ECG changes in a patient with isolated hypomagnesemia. Although isolated hypomagnesemia is commonly believed to result in dysrhythmia, we were unaware of any previous cases of ECG abnormalities in humans. Clinically, we advise checking serum magnesium and correcting hypomagnesemia when prolonged QTc duration and global T-wave inversions are seen on ECG.
AB - Background: The physiological actions of magnesium within the cardiac conduction system and myocytes have yet to be fully elucidated. Because concurrent hypocalcemia or hypokalemia were also present in previous human reports, specific electrocardiographic effects of isolated hypomagnesemia have not been clearly delineated. Objective: We report a case in which dynamic electrocardiogram (ECG) changes were demonstrated in isolated hypomagnesemia. Case Report: A 37-year-old man with history of heavy alcohol use was admitted for syncope. The ECG showed global T-wave inversions with prolonged corrected QT (QTc) duration on ECG. Extensive work-up including cardiac catheterization was unremarkable. His serum magnesium was noted to be low at 1.1 mg/dL, and his serum calcium and potassium were within normal limits. The patient received magnesium infusion with subsequent ECGs showing resolution of his global T-wave inversions and prolonged QTc. Conclusion: This case is unique because it reports dynamic ECG changes in a patient with isolated hypomagnesemia. Although isolated hypomagnesemia is commonly believed to result in dysrhythmia, we were unaware of any previous cases of ECG abnormalities in humans. Clinically, we advise checking serum magnesium and correcting hypomagnesemia when prolonged QTc duration and global T-wave inversions are seen on ECG.
KW - electrocardiogram
KW - electrolyte abnormalities
KW - hypomagnesemia
KW - T-wave inversions
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84884674926&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84884674926&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jemermed.2013.04.016
DO - 10.1016/j.jemermed.2013.04.016
M3 - Article
VL - 45
JO - Journal of Emergency Medicine
JF - Journal of Emergency Medicine
SN - 0736-4679
IS - 4
ER -