Images in Clinical Medicine

Kim Eagle, M.D., Editor

Osborn Waves of Hypothermia

Archana Patel, M.D., and John Getsos, M.D.

N Engl J Med 1994; 330:680March 10, 1994

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Article

Figure 1 Osborn Waves of Hypothermia.

12-lead electrocardiogram and rhythm strip were obtained in a 40-year-old alcoholic man with a core body temperature of 29 °C (84 °F) because of accidental exposure to the cold (Panel A). The tracing shows a bradycardic rhythm (probably sinus), prolonged QT intervals, a base-line artifact due to muscle tremors, and distinctive and characteristic Osborn waves (arrows). A second 12-lead electrocardiogram and rhythm strip obtained after the patient was rewarmed to 37.2 °C (99 °F) show sinus rhythm (Panel B). Both the Osborn waves and base-line artifact are absent. The QT interval is normal for the heart rate.

Kim Eagle, M.D.

Archana Patel, M.D.
John Getsos, M.D.
Jersey City Medical Center, Jersey City, NJ 07304

Citing Articles (7)

Citing Articles

1. 1

   Charles Antzelevitch, Robert Dumaine. 2011. Electrical Heterogeneity in the Heart: Physiological, Pharmacological and Clinical Implications. .
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2. 2

   Rehana Qadir, Khalil Kanjwal. (2010) Severe Bradycardia With a Prominent J Wave Refractory to Atropine: Was It a Cause or a Result of a Fall? A Case Report and a Brief Review on the Treatment of Hypothermia. American Journal of Therapeutics 17:2, 223-225
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3. 3

   Charles Antzelevitch. (2005) In vivo human demonstration of phase 2 reentry. Heart Rhythm 2:8, 804-806
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4. 4

   Thinn Hlaing, Tara DiMino, Peter R. Kowey, Gan-Xin Yan. (2005) ECG Repolarization Waves: Their Genesis and Clinical Implications. Annals of Noninvasive Electrocardiology 10:2, 211-223
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5. 5

   Charles Antzelevitch. (1999) Ion channels and ventricular arrhythmias: cellular and ionic mechanisms underlying the Brugada syndrome. Current Opinion in Cardiology 14:3, 274
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6. 6

   J. Vella, J. Farrell, S. Leavey, C. Magee, M. Carmody, J. Walshe. (1996) The rapid reversal of profound hypothermia using peritoneal dialysis. Irish Journal of Medical Science 165:2, 113-114
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7. 7

   SERGE SICOURI, JEFFREY FISH, CHARLES ANTZELEVITCH. (1994) Distribution of M Cells in the Canine Ventricle. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology 5:10, 824-837
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