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ECG Findings

  • Tachycardia

  • QRS complex widening

  • QT prolongation

  • Prominent terminal R wave in aVR or V1

  • Prominent S in lead I

Pearls

  1. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) produce their effects by several mechanisms. Anticholinergic effects may induce tachycardia, and sodium channel blockage may lead to QRS widening.

  2. The QRS widening seen in a TCA overdose has a nonspecific pattern and is typically unlike any bundle branch block morphology.

  3. ECG effects are rate dependent and become more pronounced with tachycardia and acidosis.

FIGURE 23.53A

Tricyclic Antidepressant Toxicity. (ECG contributor: Saralyn R. Williams, MD.)

FIGURE 23.53B

Prominent S wave in lead I (arrowhead) with prominent terminal R wave in aVR (arrow). The QRS complex is wide (double arrow), the QT interval is prolonged, and the patient is tachycardic.

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