EGG Question

[Sandy SHields]

HI everyone
I just wonder if there is someone out there that can answer a question for me? I had a EKG done last night and it read ( Slight intraventicular conducton delay minor high-lateral repolarization disturbance,consider ischemia, LV overload or aspecific change negative T in a VL with Flat or low negative T in 1 long QT interval, consider hypocalcemia or Quindine-like drug.)
The reason I ask is because we were training a new employee on how to take ekg's and I volunteered to be the ginny pig.
The person doing the EKG does EKG's all the time on inmates and so do I but neither of us know how to read them. It also said on the reading to let a MD should review .
I am on Rythmol SR 425 bid and coumadin, Synthroid and Vytorin. I have an artificial heart valve (Bjork-Shiley) I also have atrial Fib. If anyone can shine a light on this for me I would be so thankfull.

 

[bvdr]

Hi Sandy, the computer read-out from EKG machines can be misleading. I think it is helpful though because sometimes the machine brings attention to minor variances or abnormalities that might otherwise be overlooked. I remember often seeing "digitalis effect" when in fact the patient wasn't on any medications at all.
The fact that you've had OHS and have the mechanical mitral could explain the conduction disturbance since the machine has no way of knowing that it is not dealing with the standard, run of the mill heart . The Rhythmol you are on is a sodium channel blocker and it causes a lenthening of the QT so that would be normal in these circumstances.

As far as the possible LV overload or ischemia I'm not sure. If you are having symptoms then you need follow-up. If you have no symptoms at all then why not just make a copy of it and drop it in the mail to your cardio and explain to him like you did to us and ask for his take on it. You might even include this response if you like.

I've got friends who are nurses in prisons and I often thought it sounded like an interesting area of nursing. I hope all is well with you.

 

[Sandy SHields]

Hi

Hi

Thanks Yes The Work In The Prison System Is Different And Interesting. Thanks For The Information On The Ekg. We Have A Arnp Coming In Tonight And I Am Going To Let Her Read It. It Probablly Isn't Anything But It Never Hurts To Check It Out.