Common ECG Abnormalities in Patients with Acute Stroke
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56056/amj.2025.311Keywords:
Atrial fibrillation, Electrocardiographic abnormalities, Ischemic strokeAbstract
Background and objectives: Stroke is one of the major causes that leads to death and disability globally. Electrocardiographic abnormalities are seen in acute stroke and may deliver valuable insights into stroke pathophysiology, outcomes, and administration. The aim of the study is to identify some common abnormalities in patients presenting with acute stroke.
Methods: In this hospital based cross-sectional prospective study, we analyzed and interpreted the ECG results of 100 patients presented to the emergency department of Shar hospital in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, between February and August 2023. These patients were analyzed with either acute ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke according to the resuls of computed tomography scan of the brain. Electrocardiograms were acquired during a 24-hour timeframe after admission.
Result: The results show that the average age of the participants was 66.5 years. The direct risk factors specified in the study were diabetes (54%), hypertension (59%), smoking (51%), and ischemic heart disease (46%). The incidence of ischemic stroke was 68%, whereas hemorrhagic stroke accounted for 32% of cases. The most common electrocardiogram abnormalities in the study population were atrial fibrillation (31%) and sinus tachycardia (26%). In this study there was a statistically significant association between the electrocardiographic abnormalities and presence of ischemic stroke and heart disease (p<0.05), but no significant association was seen with diabetes or hypertension.
Conclusions: Atrial fibrillation and sinus tachycardia were the most common electrocardiogram findings in Iraqi patients presenting with acute stroke. Electrocardiogram abnormalities were related to ischemic stroke and cardiac disease, highlighting their diagnostic and prognostic potential.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Rokan Abdulla Hama Ahmed, Sarwer Jamal Ismael Agha-Albajalan
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