Determining the Electocardiographic Changes in Acute Cerebrovascular Accidents-a Tertiary Centre Experience in South India

Introduction: Cerebrovascular accident contributes significantly to adult morbidity and mortality, posing serious medical, socioeconomic, and rehabilitation issues. Electrocardiographic abnormalities have been observed in the presence of neurological disease. The current study is an observational study that aims to uncover the relation between cerebrovascular accident and ECG. The goals of this study were to determine the frequency of ECG changes in cerebrovascular accidents, as well as the differences in ECG manifestations and mortality in different types of stroke.

Materials and Methods: A total of 100 patients with acute stroke were considered. Within 24 hours of admission, these patients' ECGs were recorded. Follow up of admitted patients was done to know the prognosis.

Results: T wave inversion (34.48 %) and ST segment depression (32.76 %) were the most common ECG abnormalities observed in cerebral ischemic patients, followed by QTc Prolongation (29.31 %) and the presence of U waves (27.59 %). In cases of haemorrhagic Stroke, T wave inversion (33.33%) and arrhythmias (33.33%) were followed by U waves (30.95%) and ST segment depression (23.81%). Patients with ST-T changes in the ischemic group had a higher mortality rate (66.66%), as did patients with positive U waves in the haemorrhagic group (60%). The study of ECG changes will provide insight into the prognosis and management of stroke patients, which may change their management in the future.

Conclusion: In acute stroke, ECG changes were very common. The changes are thought to be unrelated to the type of stroke. ST and T inversions were found to be common in ischemic CVA, while T inversions and arrhythmias were found to be common in haemorrhagic CVA. It was also discovered that patients with abnormal ECGs following an acute Cerebrovascular event had a higher mortality rate.