Electrical alternans occurs when conducted QRS complexes alternate in amplitude. When the heart is functioning when it is surrounded by fluid, the QRS complexes as part of the electrical activity of the heart causes it to alternate between beats. Although I'm no physician and probably best as an observer, I tend to view electrical alternans as "true cardiac motion". Why, because electrical alternans is a repolarization or abnormality of the heart conduction of the Purkinje fibers or the myocardium. Purkinje fibers in the ventricles of the heart are the cardiac muscle cells that are responsible for maintaining the rhythm of the heart. When electrical alternans occurs due to abnormal cardiac motion, the heart moves in a motion, with respect to twice of it's heart rate. With electrical alternans the heart becomes somewhat abnormally positioned, as this is due to what occurs when their is fluid buildup around the heart. It would be somewhat like trying to balance a boat that is filled with water as it attempts to move across the ocean.
Low blood pressure or hypotension can also be a symptom of electrical alternans, since the heart pumps out blood and that rate or force is affected as the blood gets pumped into the arteries. Electrical alternans or "true cardiac motion" will affect the way blood and oxygen flows through the body. Low blood pressure means that the body is getting less blood and oxygen. Dizziness or shock can occur. This is because of the electrical alternans or that activity by a condition that causes it also causes the heart to beat abnormally fast. This is known as tachycardia. The result of such heart conditions due to fluid buildup results in the electrical axis of the heart or QRS complex to move as though it is affected by something such as fluid surrounding the heart. When in doubt or between visits, use a portable ecg device to check if your heart or condition has changed. Thing of it as having a portable blood pressure monitor at home or checking your sugar levels or PT/INR- and of course you wouldn't wait a month or three to do this! If there is a change in the QRS complexes, then you need to find out why and jump ship while you can!
Low blood pressure or hypotension can also be a symptom of electrical alternans, since the heart pumps out blood and that rate or force is affected as the blood gets pumped into the arteries. Electrical alternans or "true cardiac motion" will affect the way blood and oxygen flows through the body. Low blood pressure means that the body is getting less blood and oxygen. Dizziness or shock can occur. This is because of the electrical alternans or that activity by a condition that causes it also causes the heart to beat abnormally fast. This is known as tachycardia. The result of such heart conditions due to fluid buildup results in the electrical axis of the heart or QRS complex to move as though it is affected by something such as fluid surrounding the heart. When in doubt or between visits, use a portable ecg device to check if your heart or condition has changed. Thing of it as having a portable blood pressure monitor at home or checking your sugar levels or PT/INR- and of course you wouldn't wait a month or three to do this! If there is a change in the QRS complexes, then you need to find out why and jump ship while you can!
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