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Arrhythmias in patients with acute cerebrovascular disease
Insights
Patients with cerebrovascular disease (CVD) often have cardiac issues. Continuous ECG monitoring is recommended for high-risk CVD patients to detect serious cardiac complications.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Medical Technology
Background:
- Cardiac disease frequently coexists with cerebrovascular disease (CVD).
- Cerebral lesions can impact cardiac function and rhythm.
- Understanding cardiac risks in CVD patients is crucial for management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the need for continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring in patients with cerebrovascular disease (CVD).
- To identify cardiac complications in patients admitted to a stroke unit.
Main Methods:
- 100 consecutive patients admitted to a medical stroke unit were enrolled.
- 24-hour Holter monitoring was performed on all participants.
- Patient history, including heart disease and chronic atrial fibrillation, was recorded.
Main Results:
- The average patient age was 73 years, with 70% having a history of heart disease.
- Ventricular ectopic activity was observed in 55% of patients without chronic atrial fibrillation.
- Serious ventricular arrhythmias were infrequent, primarily linked to heart failure and myocardial infarction.
Conclusions:
- Close cardiac monitoring is essential for patients with CVD.
- Continuous ECG surveillance is indicated for selected high-risk CVD patients.
- Prolonged Q-T intervals were common but not significantly associated with ventricular ectopic activity.
Abstract:
Cardiac disease is common in patients with cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and cerebral lesions as such may influence cardiac activity and rhythm. To study the indication for continuous ECG surveillance of patients with CVD, 100 consecutive patients admitted to a medical stroke unit were investigated with 24-hour Holter recordings. The patients' mean age was 73 years and 70% of them had a history of heart disease. Twenty-three patients had chronic atrial fibrillation and 55% of the remainder showed ventricular ectopic activity. Serious ventricular arrhythmias were comparatively rare and mainly seen in association with signs of congestive heart failure and acute myocardial infarction. A prolonged Q-T interval was registered in two-thirds of the patients but there was no significant association between this finding and ventricular ectopic activity. Close observation for cardiac complications is important in patients with CVD and continuous ECG surveillance is indicated in selected high-risk patients.