Electrocardiographic Changes in Typhoid Fever

ABSTRACT

Electrocardiograms were observed in 168 patients with typhoid fever and were analyzed according to the duration of illness and hemoglobin level. The following results were obtained. 1) 124 patients out of 168 patients showed abnormal electrocardiographic findings. 2) The most prevalent abnormal findings were observed during third to fourth week of illness. 3) The lower the hemoglobin level, the higher frequency of electrocardiographic abnormalities were found. 4) Among the electrocardiographic disorders, sinus tachycardia was the most common finding and it was found in 60 cases(35.7%). The major abnormalities were ST-T change, low QRS voltage, prolongation of Q-T interval and prolongation of P-R interval: the over all incidence of these were 26.8%, 15.5%, 13.7% and 9.55 respectively. In addition to the major abnormalities, incomplete right bundle branch block (5.4%), premature ventricular contractions(3.0%) and abnormal Q wave(1.2%) were observed.