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Cardiovascular involvement in leptospirosis
C Rajiv1, R J Manjuran, N Sudhayakumar
1Department of Medicine, Medical College, Kottayam, Kerala.
Indian Heart Journal
|November 1, 1996
Summary
Cardiovascular involvement in leptospirosis is common, with frequent electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities. However, left ventricular function remains normal, suggesting dyspnea and hypotension are noncardiac in origin.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Leptospirosis is a zoonotic infection with potential systemic complications.
- Cardiovascular manifestations of leptospirosis require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate cardiovascular involvement in patients with serologically confirmed leptospirosis.
- To assess the impact of leptospirosis on cardiac function and identify potential mechanisms for symptoms like dyspnea and hypotension.
Main Methods:
- Study included 50 patients diagnosed with leptospirosis.
- Cardiovascular assessment involved clinical examination, electrocardiography (ECG), echocardiography, and Doppler studies.
- Patient outcomes, including mortality, were recorded.
Main Results:
- 70% of patients exhibited ECG abnormalities, including atrial fibrillation (14%) and conduction system disturbances (36%).
- No instances of cardiac enlargement, new murmurs, or pericardial rubs were observed.
- Left ventricular function, assessed via echocardiography and Doppler, was consistently normal.
- Dyspnea (24%) and transient hypotension (36%) were noted, but attributed to noncardiac causes.
Conclusions:
- ECG abnormalities are frequent in leptospirosis but do not correlate with impaired left ventricular function.
- Symptoms like dyspnea and hypotension in leptospirosis patients likely stem from noncardiac mechanisms.
- Further research should focus on noncardiac etiologies for these clinical presentations in leptospirosis.