PATTERN OF ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC CHANGES IN ACUTE ISCHEMIC STROKE AND ITS CORRELATION WITH OUTCOME

Background: Acute ischemic stroke is frequently associated with various changes in ECG. Patients of ischemic stroke with ECG changes also have a poor clinical outcome. The objectives were to study the pattern of electrocardiographic changes in acute ischemic stroke and to find the correlation of ECG changes with the outcome of patients with ischemic stroke. Materials and Methods: Cross sectional observational study was conducted in 90 patients of acute ischemic stroke with detailed history, Imaging, ECG monitoring and blood investigations. Patients grouped as those with electrocardiographic changes and those without changes. Outcome was assessed by modified NIHSS score. Results: modified National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (mNIHSS) was higher in patients having ECG changes with median 12(9, 21.5) for patient with changes, 8(6-10) for patients without changes (p<0.0001). In patients with no ECG changes, score significantly improved from day 1 to 5(p<0.0001) compared to patients with changes who doesnt show any improvement in score(p>0.05). Maximum number of patients were having ECG change of T inversion (25.6%) and QTc prolongation(20.0%). The average duration of hospital stay for patients with ECG change was 8.80 ± 2.850 in comparison with patients without ECG changes having 7.10 ± 2.417. Conclusion: Characteristics of ECG changes have important reference value in evaluation of severity and prognosis of ischemic stroke patients. Patients with ECG changes have poor outcome.