Thursday, March 20, 2008

Don’t neglect lead aVR

Often relegated to the status of placeholder in the electrocardiogram, aVR may contain the critical data for the diagnosis of a number of conditions. A review in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine highlights pericarditis, left main coronary obstruction, orthodromic tachycardia and acute tricyclic antidepressant poisoning.

Additional references:

ST elevation in aVR as a sign of left main coronary artery obstruction.

Review of electrocardiographic clues obtainable from aVR (JACC).


Classic paper on the electrocardiographic changes of pericarditis.

The electrocardiogram in non cardiac conditions.

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