Transient Super-Himalayan P-waves in severe pulmonary emphysema

J Electrocardiol. 2012 Jan-Feb;45(1):26-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2011.07.016. Epub 2011 Sep 9.

Abstract

Himalayan P-waves are classically associated with congenital heart diseases with right to left shunt where they indicate a dilated right atrium and tend to be persistent. We report a case of transient Himalayan P-waves of 9-mm amplitude associated with a severe emphysema exacerbation. Patient had a normal right atrial size. The giant P-waves were likely the result of severe pulmonary hyperinflation, right atrial hypoxia, and transient mechanical load on the right atrium directly resulting from the bronchospasm. Transient Himalayan P-waves of quite such amplitude have not been reported previously, which makes our case the first such report in literature.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Blood Gas Analysis
  • Electrocardiography*
  • Female
  • Heart Atria / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Oximetry
  • Pulmonary Emphysema / physiopathology*