Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
The EKG in the Patient Treated with Tricyclic Antidepressants
Introduction
Electrocardiographic Findings
Electrocardiographic Findings
- EKG changes are observed in 20% of patients who are at therapeutic doses
- Prolongation of the QTc, displacement of the ST segment, T wave abnormalities, QRS widening, supraventricular and ventricular tachycardias can all occur.
- In overdose, widening of the QRS is frequent, and there is also QTc prolongation
Examples
Examples
Shown below is an image of EKG in a patient of nortriptyline intoxication demonstrating wide QRS complex and prolonged QT interval
Shown below is an image of EKG in a patient of nortriptyline intoxication demonstrating wide QRS and peaked T waves.
Shown below are the EKG images of a patient with amitriptylin intoxication showing tachycardia with heart rate 130.
- Before treatment
- After treatment
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]