Alcoholic cardiomyopathy electrocardiogram

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Raviteja Guddeti, M.B.B.S. [2]; Hardik Patel, M.D.

Although many EKG changes are seen in patients with alcoholic cardiomyopathy, none of them are pathognomonic for this condition. However, acute alcoholic intoxication is also associated with pathological EKG changes. Common EKG abnormalities in alcoholic cardiomyopathy include non-specific ST-T changes and QT abnormalities.

Possible EKG abnormalities include:

• QT abnormalities
• Sinus bradycardia
• Supraventricular tachycardias (atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter)
• Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (torsades de pointes)
• Ventricular fibrillation (causing sudden death)
• LV hypertrophy with repolarization abnormality
• Non-specific ST- and T-wave changes
• Non-specific Q waves

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