Electrocardiographic abnormalities in patients with acute burn injuries

To determine the incidence and types of electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities in patients admitted with acute burn injuries and correlate them with the degree and the extent of burn injuries.

Retrospective analysis of 192 patients admitted to the burn unit was performed. Thirty-four patients met the inclusion criteria of having a 12-lead ECG performed on admission and at least one more time during their stay.

There were 26 men and 8 women. The average age of patients was 53.4 +/- 17.5 years. The average degree of burn was 2.4 +/- 0.6 and the average body surface area (BSA) involved was 12.8 +/- 11.8%. There were 18 patients (53%) with ECG abnormalities. Five patients had sinus tachycardia, including two with premature atrial complexes (PACs) and one with ST-T abnormality. Three patients had premature ventricular complexes (PVCs), including one with a paced atrial rhythm and one with a prolonged QT interval. Right bundle branch block was present in two patients, and low voltage QRS was present in one. Atrial fibrillation was present in two patients, including one with ST-T abnormality due to digitalis effect. Four patients had a prolonged QT interval as the sole abnormality. One patient had left ventricular hypertrophy, an old inferior myocardial infarct, PACs, and non-specific ST-T wave abnormality.

In patients with acute burn injuries sinus tachycardia and a prolonged QT interval were the most common ECG abnormalities. There was no correlation between the extent of burn injuries and observed ECG abnormalities. No patient had a life threatening arrhythmia, and all patients had a good outcome.