Final answer:
The most common ECG finding in patients with pulmonary embolism is the S1Q3T3 pattern, indicating right ventricular strain. Other non-specific signs may include T-wave inversions and sinus tachycardia. Accurate ECG interpretation is complex, requiring significant experience.
Step-by-step explanation:
In patients with pulmonary embolism (PE), the most common finding on an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is S1Q3T3: a prominent S wave in lead I, a Q wave in lead III, and an inverted T wave in lead III. This ECG pattern indicates right ventricular strain due to the obstruction of the pulmonary arteries, although it is not present in all cases of PE. Patterns of right heart strain and tachycardia are also common findings. Other non-specific ECG changes that may be seen include T-wave inversions in the anterior chest leads, sinus tachycardia, and a non-specific S1S2S3 pattern.
Understanding ECG can be complex and often requires years of experience, as various waveforms represent different cardiac activities, like the P wave representing atrial depolarization, and the QRS complex and T wave representing ventricular depolarization and repolarization respectively.
When a pulmonary embolism occurs, it blocks the flow of deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs, which can lead to severe consequence such as lung damage or even death.