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Ashman’s phenomenon is an irregularity of ventricular contraction that can be seen on an electrocardiogram (ECG) tracing. It is usually asymptomatic but can be confused with other types of cardiac arrhythmias. Once recognized, there is no need to take any further steps as the condition is benign.
Ashman’s phenomenon is an irregularity of ventricular contraction that can be seen in some patients. Also known as Ashman’s beats, these abnormalities occur when the heart’s rhythm is disrupted. It is usually asymptomatic but can be confused with other types of cardiac arrhythmias. For this reason, medical service providers need to be aware of the possibility of Ashman’s phenomenon along with other types of arrhythmias so that they can correctly read electrocardiogram (ECG) tracings and identify what is happening inside the heart of the patient. patient.
This phenomenon was first documented in 1947 and named after one of the researchers who submitted the original paper. It can be identified on a strip by looking for the QRS complex, the characteristic dip, peak, and dip of Q, R, and S waves in the heartbeat. These normally remain fairly consistent. In a patient exhibiting Ashman’s phenomenon, a large QRS complex will appear after a relatively short interval, disrupting the normal pattern of the ECG tracing.
These strips may be ordered to evaluate a patient with a suspected heart problem or to determine the nature of an abnormality found during a physical exam. They can also be part of a workup to assess a patient’s physical fitness. The greater the detail of the trace, the more accurate the reading can be; technicians need some skill to place cables correctly and administer the test for clean results..
Arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular premature contractions can be confused with Ashman’s phenomenon. When a patient appears to have an abnormal ECG, careful evaluation is advised to determine the specifics of the case. Special training in evaluating heart rhythms is provided to people such as cardiologists, who need to be able to interpret tracings that are sometimes fuzzy or confusing. They look at the available data and the patient’s history to determine what type of heart rhythm is appearing.
Once the Ashman phenomenon is recognized, there is no need to take any further steps. The condition is benign and should not cause any problems for the patient, although it can be noted in a file so that others know that the abnormality has been recognized and evaluated. This can reduce the risk of the patient being asked for repeat testing or follow-up for a cardiac arrhythmia that is not a significant problem. Patients may want to make a note that they have Ashman beats because they may be presenting in emergency medical care, where the abnormal rhythm could cause concern for paramedics and other first responders.
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