Title: A Study of Electrocardiogram Changes in Patients with Acute Stroke in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Authors: Pankaj Kumar Jain, Manish Sharma, Zuber Ali Quazi

 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v7i2.53

Abstract

Background: Electrocardiogram (ECG) changes are observed in patients with acute stroke and may create confusion with ECG changes found in cardiac disorders. The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of ECG changes in patients with acute stroke.

Material and Methods: It was a prospective hospital-based observational study conducted for a period of 1 year (March 2016 to February 2017) including patients with acute stroke. Total 60 patients were enrolled and ECG changes were observed.

Results: The present study was conducted in 60 patients diagnosed with acute stroke in which incidence of ischemic stroke was more than hemorrhagic stroke (38>22),  incidence of stroke was more in males 65.00%, most common preceding neurological event for stroke was headache 20(33.33%). ECG abnormality was seen in 73.33% patients of stroke.  Most common rhythm abnormality was Atrial Fibrillation i.e., it was seen in 5 patients (8.33%). It was more in patients with ischemic stroke. AV block was seen in 3 patients. Ventricular tachycardia and LBBB were seen in 2 patients each .RBBB was seen in 1 patient. In the present study, the most common ECG abnormality was prolonged QTc interval, overall it was 43.33% and in ischemic stroke it was seen in 36.84 % and in hemorrhagic group it was seen in 54.55%.

Conclusions: From above study it was concluded that, electrocardiography abnormalities in the patients with acute stroke are common and cardiac evaluation can have prognostic importance.

Keywords: ECG (Electrocardiogram), Acute stroke, NCCT head.

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Corresponding Author

Manish Sharma

Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Gajra Raja Medical College, Gwalior, M.P., India