Kaya E, Fischer C, Eckardt L
Abteilung für Rhythmologie, Department für Kardiologie und Angiologie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Albert Schweitzer Campus 1, Gebäude A1, 48149, Münster, Deutschland.
Herzschrittmacherther Elektrophysiol. 2013 Jun;24(2):109-14. doi: 10.1007/s00399-013-0262-x. Epub 2013 May 9.
ECG diagnostic is not only an easy to use, cost efficient, extensively available method for cardiological patients, but also a potential tool in diagnostic for other morbidities. As a well-known example, cerebral hemorrhage and ischemia can show an ECG, that resembles an acute coronary syndrome. Furthermore systemic diseases may show characteristic ECG; often as a malfunction of the conductive system (e.g., AV block). Exclusion of cardiac involvement when dealing with sarcoidosis is important, and the ECG may be a first hint. Besides, in Ixodid endemic areas a cardiological manifestation of Borreliosis should be considered. ECG may also show almost specific findings in primary cardiomyopathies, such as the "pseudo-infarction Q - wave" in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or "epsilon potentials" in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. The takotsubo cardiomyopathy commonly reveals transient ST-segment elevation and therefore depicts an important differential diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes.