Attenuation of ECG voltage in cirrhotic patients.

Two patients with cirrhosis (CIR), ascites (ASC), and peripheral oedema (PEROD) are presented. They were followed for many years, had multiple hospital admissions and clinic evaluations, had repeated laboratory testing, and many ECGs recorded. As their condition worsened, they developed attenuation of the ECG voltage (ATTECGV), which was more pronounced during intervals of increased fluid overload. Attenuation of the ECG voltage was decreased at times of successful diuresis and amelioration of PEROD, while abdominal paracenteses for ASC did not have any influence on the ATTECGV, suggesting that ATTECGV in patients with CIR is due to the associated PEROD, and not to ASC.