Title: Electrocardiographic abnormalities in patients with acute stroke attending a rural hospital
Authors: R B Rame Gowda, Manojkumar B K, Yash Khanvilkar, Srikanth Goud Mallam
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i7.199
Abstract
Objectives: To study the incidence of electrocardiographic changes seen in acute stroke, to know the nature of electrocardiographic changes seen in different types of stroke and the prevalence of electrocardiographic changes in acute stroke.
Method: 100 patients of acute stroke were taken and ECG was recorded in these patients at the time of admission. Follow up of admitted patients were done by serial ECG monitoring to look out for any fresh ECG changes and development of any arrhythmias for a period of 7 days.
Result: Among 100 patients (male: female- 55:45), cerebral thrombosis was the most common cause seen in 56 patients and least common cause is cerebral venous thrombosis seen in 2 patients. Abnormal ECG changes were seen in 80 patients in which ST segment depression being the most common (29% of patients).
Conclusion: Patents with cerebrovascular accidents often have abnormal electrocardiogram in the absence of known organic heart disease or electrolyte imbalance. These ECG changes are more common in cerebral thrombosis and cerebral haemorrhage. The ECG changes are presumed to be due to brainstem interference and excessive sympathetic activity. This study will provide insight in prognosis and management of acute patients.
Keywords: stroke, cerebrovascular accident, ECG.
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