Electrocardiographic Changes and Their Prognostic Effect in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke without Cardiac Etiology

Objective: Acute ischemic stroke has an effect on electrocardiography (ECG) results and cardiac enzyme levels, but its mechanism has not been clearly established. Our aim was to research ECG and cardiac enzyme changes in acute ischemic stroke and to investigate the association between these changes and stroke localizations and prognosis.
Materials and Methods: The study included 241 patients with acute ischemic stroke. Patients without cardiac arrhythmia, history of previous stroke, use of drugs affecting the pattern and duration of ECG rhythm and without acute or chronic myocardial infarction history and electrolyte imbalance were included. The vascular risk factors for stroke, creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), and troponin I (TnI) levels, and ECG results were examined.
Results: One hundred twenty-three patients had right hemisphere infarcts and 118 patients had left hemisphere infarcts with the same mean ages. HT was more prevalent in right hemisphere infarcts (p=0.013). The most common ECG abnormalities were QTc prolongation (31%) and ST depression (24%). CK-MB and TnI levels were significantly higher in patients with right hemispheric and cerebellar infarcts. QRS durations were longer in cerebellar infarcts (p=0.05).
Conclusion: The most common ECG abnormality was QTc prolongation in patients with acute ischemic stroke within 24 hours. CK-MB and TnI levels were higher in patients with right hemisphere and cerebellar infarcts.