Brugada-Like ECG Pattern in Severe Hypothermia

Abstract

On a cold December morning, a 28-year-old student was rescued after he had fallen into a nearly frozen river. He was admitted to the emergency department with severe hypothermia [28.5°C/83°F]. The examination and laboratory tests of the hemodynamically stable patient revealed no abnormality. The initial ECG exhibited sinus bradycardia, QT-interval prolongation, atrial and ventricular ectopy, and giant J waves in all ECG leads (Figure 1). Furthermore, there was a right bundle-branch block pattern and a saddleback-type ST-segment elevation in the precordial leads, ECG abnormalities suggestive of Brugada syndrome (Figure 2 …