Abstract

RAMIREZ, Eduardo. Osborn waves in hypothermia: One rare case in the tropic. Rev. Colom. Cardiol. [online]. 2009, vol.16, n.4, pp.182-184. ISSN 0120-5633.

Dr. John Osborn described J wave in the electrocardiogram 1953. Hypothermia (body temperature < 35°C) is initially associated with sinus tachycardia, but with temperatures < 32.2°C, sinus bradycardia associated to progressive prolongation of PR interval, QRS complex and QTc interval, appears. Otherwise, at temperatures below 30°C, 80% patients present J or Osborn waves consisting of an extra deflection at the end of QRS, best depicted in inferior and lateral leads. They become more prominent as the temperature drops and gradually disappear with re-warming. This phenomenon is not rare in countries with 4 seasons but is not common in the tropics.

Keywords : J waves; hypothermia; Osborn waves; electrocardiogram.

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