Analysis of cardiac arrhythmias in patients with ischaemic heart disease admitted to coronary care unit

ABSTRACT

Three hundred and fifty patients were admitted to Coronary Care Unit Mayo Hospital, Lahore between June 1986 to May 1987. 218[62.8%] patients developed arrhythmias. 158[72.4%] were males and 60[27.6%] were females. Tachyarrhythmia's were mostly ventricular in origin [18%]. Out of 218 patients 47[21.5%] died 126[58%] patients were haemodynamically stable while 92[42%] patients developed left ventricular failure 64.5% of the total females and 61 7% of the total males developed arrhythmias. Arrhythmias and deaths occurred more frequently with anterior Q wave infarction. 18.9% of the male patients and 28.3% of the female patients with arrhythmias died. 78% of patients who died had one or more risk factors. 14% of the patients below 50 years old died while 29% of L the patients above 50 years old with arrhythmias died. We conclude that female gender, presence of one or more risk factors and anterior Q wave infarction is associated with increased mortality in patients who developed arrhythmias in coronary care unit