ECG Manifestations in Dengue Infection

OBJECTIVE To determine the frequency of ECG changes in patients with dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever. PLACE OF STUDY Department of Medicine, Mayo Hospital Lahore DURATION OF STUDY September to November 2011 STUDY DESIGN Cross sectional analytical study PATIENTS AND METHODS 116 patients with dengue infection were enrolled in the study. Their clinical presentation and examination was duly noted. Each patient had baseline and then regular monitoring of blood counts, metabolic profile and fluid status. Patients with Dengue Hemorrhagic fever underwent radiological examination in form of chest radiograph and ultrasound abdomen. ECG was carried out in all patients. RESULTS Out of 116 patients, 61(52.6%) suffered from Dengue Fever and 55(47.4%) had Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever. Overall 78 patients had normal ECG. Abnormal ECG findings like tachycardia, bradycardia, supraventricular tachycardia, left bundle branch block, ST depression, poor progression of R wave were noted. There was no significant relationship of ECG findings with the disease. CONCLUSION ECG changes can occur in dengue infection with or without cardiac symptoms. Commonly noted findings were ST depression and bradycardia.