Noninvasive cardiac evaluation in chronic alcoholic patients with alcohol withdrawal syndrome

Cardiac function was evaluated by noninvasive techniques in 50 patients hospitalized during acute alcohol withdrawal treatment. All patients had ingested large amounts of alcohol for at least five years, but discontinued alcohol intake 24 to 72 hours prior to admission. There was no clinical history of heart disease in any of the patients. Our study employed 12-lead electrocardiograms (daily) and 24-hour Holter monitoring. M-mode echocardiography and systolic time intervals were evaluated in 24 patients. The results indicate that marked electrical irritability of a depressed myocardium during the acute phase of alcohol withdrawal indicates the need for close cardiac observation of such patients in order to avoid potential life-threatening arrhythmias.