This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by HICKS, C. E. Articles by BLOUNT, S. G. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by HICKS, C. E. Articles by BLOUNT, S. G., JR.

(Circulation. 1956;13:21.)
© 1956 American Heart Association, Inc.

---

Electrocardiographic Changes During Hypothermia and Circulatory Occlusion

CLARENCE E. HICKS M.D.¹; MALCOLM C. MCCORD M.D.¹; S. GILBERT BLOUNT JR. M.D.¹

¹ From the Cardiology Service, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, Colo.

An analysis of the electrocardiograms from 25 patients during reduction of body temperature and total occlusion of circulation reveals marked abnormalities in conduction and rhythmicity. Hypothermia thermia was accompanied by slowing of the heart rate, depression of intracardiac conductivity, and by inhibition of the normal centers of impulse formation with resultant atrial arrhythmias. Circulatory occlusion during hypothermia was associated with a high incidence of ventricular arrhythmias. Changes noted in electric activity of the myocardium tended to return to normal with release of occlusion and warming of the patient.