Publication:

Incidence of cardiac arrhythmias in patients with acute myocardial infarction during the first 48 hours of the onset of chest pain

Background It is predicted that there will be an increase of 111% in cardiovascular deaths in India by the year 2020 compared to the year 1990. This is much higher than that predicted in any other region both in Asia as well as outside Asia. The objective of this study was to study the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias in acute myocardial infarction during the first 48 hours.

Methods The descriptive study was conducted over a period of two years from April 2016 to January 2017. A total of 102 patients were studied. They were admitted to ICU. Their admission was done as soon as they had chest pain. They were first confirmed to have acute myocardial infarction. All eligible study subjects as per inclusion and exclusion criteria were considered in the present study. Detailed history was taken. A thorough physical examination was done with emphasis on the cardiovascular system.

Results Maximum number of patients was in the age group 51-60 years in both males (37.97%) and females (65.22%). Acute MI observed mostly in the postmenopausal age in all the females. Incidence of myocardial infarction was significantly more in men (77.50%) compared to women (22.50%). 52.90% were smokers. Almost half of the patients had shown anterior wall infarction. The incidence of cardiac arrhythmias was 78.70%. Arrhythmias were more common among elderly female. Maximum arrhythmias were observed in the age group ranging from 50 to 60 years (36.27%).

Conclusions The incidence of cardiac arrhythmia was found to be 78.7% in the present study. The incidence of cardiac arrhythmia was more in the age group 50-60 years (36.27%).