Right pneumothorax with the S1Q3T3 electrocardiogram pattern usually associated with pulmonary embolus

An 18-year-old man presented with a spontaneous right pneumothorax. An initial electrocardiogram (ECG) showed an S wave in lead I, a Q wave in lead III, and an inverted T wave in lead III. This ECG pattern, S1Q3T3, has been most often associated with pulmonary embolus. These changes resolved with pa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The American journal of emergency medicine 1997-05, Vol.15 (3), p.310-312
Main Authors: Goddard, Roy, Scofield, R.Hal
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acute Disease
Adolescent
Biological and medical sciences
Diagnosis, Differential
electrocardiogram
Electrocardiography
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Myocardial Ischemia - diagnosis
Pneumology
Pneumothorax
Pneumothorax - diagnosis
Pulmonary Embolism - diagnosis
pulmonary embolus
Respiratory system : syndromes and miscellaneous diseases
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Summary:An 18-year-old man presented with a spontaneous right pneumothorax. An initial electrocardiogram (ECG) showed an S wave in lead I, a Q wave in lead III, and an inverted T wave in lead III. This ECG pattern, S1Q3T3, has been most often associated with pulmonary embolus. These changes resolved with partial reexpansion of the lung. Both right and left pneumothorax have been associated with ECG changes, including changes that mimic myocardial ischemia. Because the clinical presentation of pneumothorax may be similar to angina or pulmonary embolus, ECG changes with pneumothorax may lead to confusion in the diagnosis.
ISSN:0735-6757
1532-8171
DOI:10.1016/S0735-6757(97)90023-1