EKG in right atrial enlargement
| EKG in right atrial enlargement | ||
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| MeSH | [1] | |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [2]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [3]
Overview
Right atrial enlargement can result from increased pressure in the pulmonary artery. A P wave >2.5 mm in leads II, III and aVF or a P wave >1.5 mm in lead V1 indicates right atrial enlargement. Despite the increase in the height of the P wave, the width of the P wave does not change. Sometimes these large P waves can be referred to as Himalayan P waves.
Differential Diagnosis of Underlying Causes of Right Atrial Enlargement
- Atrial aneurysm
- Atrial septal defect
- Cor pulmonale or right heart failure
- Ebstein's anomaly
- Tumor
- Pulmonic stenosis
- Tricuspid prolapse
- Tricuspid regurgitation
- Tricuspid stenosis
The EKG in Right Atrial Enlargement
Right atrial enlargement is defined as either:
Shown below is an illustration of right atrial enlargement:
Shown below is an EKG demonstrating large P waves in leads to 2,3, and aVF which have a P-wave height greater than 2.5 mm consistent with right each one enlargement:
