What changes occur with hypocalcemia on ECG?

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Multiple Choice

What changes occur with hypocalcemia on ECG?

Calcium levels shape how long ventricular repolarization takes, which shows up as the QT interval on the ECG. In hypocalcemia, the plateau phase of the ventricular action potential is prolonged, slowing repolarization and lengthening the ST segment within the QT interval. The result is a longer overall QT interval. This prolongation raises the risk of torsades de pointes. By contrast, hypercalcemia shortens the QT by speeding repolarization, and the other findings listed (ST elevation or delta waves) aren’t characteristic of hypocalcemia.

Calcium levels shape how long ventricular repolarization takes, which shows up as the QT interval on the ECG. In hypocalcemia, the plateau phase of the ventricular action potential is prolonged, slowing repolarization and lengthening the ST segment within the QT interval. The result is a longer overall QT interval. This prolongation raises the risk of torsades de pointes. By contrast, hypercalcemia shortens the QT by speeding repolarization, and the other findings listed (ST elevation or delta waves) aren’t characteristic of hypocalcemia.

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