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Category: Volume 08 Issue 11 November 2020
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Title: Prolonged QTc interval as a predictor of outcome in acute ischemic stroke

Authors: Dr Raveesha A, Dr Kishore V, Dr Viswanath Reddy, Dr Manoj, Dr Deepthi M

 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v8i11.101

Abstract

Introduction

Ischemic stroke specifically refers to a central nervous system infarction that is accompanied by overt symptoms.1 Ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke. Electrocardiographic (ECG) changes are frequently observed in ischemic stroke, and they are noticed gradually by clinicians. ECG changes often occur 12 to 48 hours after illness onset, and are transient, lasting for no more than 1 week. Nearly every type of ECG change, including cardiac arrhythmias, such as ventricular premature beats (VPB) or supraventricular ectopic beats, ventricular tachycardia (VT) and atrial flutter (AFL)/ fibrillation (AF), and repolarization abnormalities (ST-segment changes, QT interval prolongation and increased QT interval dispersion) have been described in stroke patients.2

QTc interval on ECG, is calculated from the beginning of Q wave to end of T wave. It measures the duration of both cardiac depolarization and repolarization. Prolonged QTc interval may result from either a genetic or acquired conditions (3).

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Corresponding Author

Dr Kishore V

MBBS, (MD) General Medicine, Post Graduate