Related Experiment Videos
Electrocardiographic abnormalities in patients with Lassa fever
D Cummins1, D Bennett, S P Fisher-Hoch
1University College and Middlesex School of Medicine, London, U.K.
The Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
|October 1, 1989
Summary
Electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities are frequent in Lassa fever patients, appearing in over 70% of cases. However, these common ECG changes typically do not correlate with disease severity or patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Lassa fever is a severe viral hemorrhagic fever endemic to West Africa.
- Cardiac involvement can occur in viral infections, necessitating diagnostic evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities in patients with acute Lassa fever.
- To determine if ECG findings correlate with clinical severity, laboratory markers, or patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of ECGs from 32 patients diagnosed with acute Lassa fever.
- Review of clinical data, including severity of infection, serum transaminase levels, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Over 70% of patients exhibited abnormal ECG findings.
- Common abnormalities included non-specific ST-T wave changes, ST elevation, and low-voltage complexes.
- No significant correlation was found between ECG abnormalities and clinical severity, transaminase levels, or outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Electrocardiogram changes are a common finding in acute Lassa fever.
- These ECG abnormalities are generally not associated with myocarditis or predictive of disease severity or outcome.