Episodic cardiac arrhythmia and femoral neck fracture

Fifty-eight consecutive patients admitted to hospital for fracture of the upper end of the femur were examined by continuous ECG monitoring for 22--24 hours. More than one third of the patients had occult, previously unknown episodic arrhythmias severe enough to cause dizzy spells and syncope. These patients had more often a history of dizziness and syncope and could less frequently than patients without serious arrhythmias return to their homes at the time of discharge despite uncomplicated fracture treatment.