Polymyositis and dermatomyositis electrocardiogram

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sadaf Sharfaei M.D.[2]

An ECG may be helpful in the diagnosis of cardiac complications of polymyositis and dermatomyositis. Findings on an ECG suggestive of cardiac involvement include conduction abnormalities, arrhythmias, left atrial abnormality, and ST-T changes.

• An ECG may be helpful in the diagnosis of cardiac complications of polymyositis and dermatomyositis.
• Findings on an ECG suggestive of cardiac involvement include:^[1][2][3]
  • Atrioventricular conduction abnormalities
    • Left anterior hemiblock (most common)
    • Right bundle-branch block (most common)
  • Arrhythmias
  • Left atrial abnormality
  • ST-T changes