Ravikumar T. N1, Anikethana G. V2
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Arrhythmias remain a major cause of death in patients with myocardial infarction, despite considerable progress. Majority of these arrhythmias occurring within the first 24 hours. The aim of the present study is to identify the type of arrhythmias and time of their onset in patients presenting with acute inferior wall myocardial infarction. METHODS: A total of 100 consecutive patients admitted to the coronary care unit of Karnataka institute of medical sciences, Hubli, with inferior wall myocardial infarction between the period of 1st December 2011 and 30th November 2012 were included in the study. The risk factors for cardiac disease were evaluated through history, physical examination and blood investigations. Patients were monitored for arrhythmias, for 48 hours after onset of myocardial infarction. Type and time of onset arrhythmias was noted. RESULTS: Out of the 100 patients with inferior wall myocardial infarction studied, 40 patients had arrhythmias. Age and gender did not have statistically significant impact on time of onset or type of arrhythmia. Majority of arrhythmias occurred during 1-12 hours and complete heart block was the commonest arrhythmia (40%). There was no statistically significant effect of smoking, alcohol, hypertension, diabetes, left ventricular dysfunction, thrombolysis, on arrhythmias.
