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Electrocardiographic abnormalities in neurological diseases.
Rui Póvoa1, Luciano Cavichio, Ana Lúcia de Almeida
1Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual, Sao Paulo, SP.
Arquivos Brasileiros De Cardiologia
|May 20, 2003
Summary
Electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities are less common in patients with neurologic diseases than previously reported. Ventricular repolarization changes were the most frequent finding in this study of 161 patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cardiology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Electrocardiographic abnormalities can occur in patients with various neurologic diseases.
- Previous studies have suggested a high incidence of cardiac involvement in neurological conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the incidence and types of electrocardiographic abnormalities in patients diagnosed with neurologic diseases.
- To compare findings with existing literature on cardiac manifestations of neurological disorders.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 161 patients with diagnosed neurologic disorders was analyzed.
- 12-lead electrocardiograms were assessed during the acute phase of the neurological condition by an independent expert.
Main Results:
- The most common neurological conditions included brain tumors (41%) and stroke (27.3%).
- Electrocardiograms were normal in 61% of patients.
- Ventricular repolarization abnormalities were the most frequent ECG finding (23.7%), followed by prolonged QT intervals (8.8%) and T wave changes (4.6%).
Conclusions:
- The observed incidence of electrocardiographic abnormalities in patients with neurologic diseases was lower than previously reported in the literature.
- Specific findings like T wave abnormalities and prolonged QT intervals may be characteristic of certain brain injuries.