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Incidence of cardiac events in burned patients
David G Meyers1, Sara M Hoestje, Richard A Korentager
1Division of Cardiovascular Disease, Kansas University Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, KS 66198-7379, USA. dmeyers@kumc.edu
Insights
Cardiac events like arrhythmias are infrequent and generally benign in burn patients, similar to trauma patients. A history of cardiopulmonary disease significantly increases the risk of severe cardiac events in burn survivors.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Trauma Surgery
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Burn patients experience increased adrenergic stimulation, potentially leading to cardiac events.
- Prior history of cardiopulmonary disease is a known risk factor for adverse cardiac outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and nature of cardiac arrhythmias and other cardiac events in acute burn patients.
- To compare cardiac event rates in burn patients with those in matched trauma patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 56 acute burn patients.
- Electrocardiographic monitoring for all patients.
- Matching of burn patients with trauma patients by age, sex, and length of hospital stay.
Main Results:
- Arrhythmias occurred in 34% of burn patients and 28% of trauma patients.
- One myocardial infarction and six deaths were observed in burn patients; none in trauma patients.
- A history of cardiopulmonary disease increased the risk of myocardial infarction or death by 6.6 times in burn patients.
Conclusions:
- Cardiac arrhythmias and other cardiac events are relatively infrequent and benign in burn patients.
- Cardiac event rates in burn patients are similar to those in comparable trauma patients.
- Pre-existing cardiopulmonary disease is a critical risk factor for adverse cardiac outcomes in burn patients.
Abstract:
Given the increased level of adrenergic stimulation in burn patients, it would be expected that they would experience an increased incidence of cardiac arrhythmias and other cardiac events. We performed a retrospective chart review of 56 acute burn patients matched by age, length of hospital stay, and sex to 56 trauma patients, all of whom had been continuously monitored electrocardiographically. Burn and trauma patients were similar in injury severity, admission laboratory values, and prior history of cardiopulmonary diseases. Arrhythmias were noted in 34% of burn patients and 28% of trauma patients. One myocardial infarction and six deaths occurred in burn patients. No myocardial infarctions or deaths were observed in trauma patients. A past history of cardiopulmonary disease increased the risk of myocardial infarction or death by 6.6 times. Cardiac arrhythmias and other events are relatively infrequent and benign in burn patients and are similar to those experienced by other patients with acute injuries.