Electrocardiographic changes and severity of acute pancreatitis

Introduction: Electrocardiographic changes can occure in acute pancreatitis, but prevalence of them is unknown. Aims and methods: The aim of this study is to analyse the frequency and type of electrocardiographic abnormalities in patients with acute pancreatitis, depending on the severity of the disease. 303 patients, 170 (56, 1%) male and 133 (43, 9%) female, hospitalized in our clinicl during three year period, were included. Average age was 59, 7+/-15, 4. Acute pancreatitis was diagnosed by a combination of typical history, clinical features, elevation of serum pancreatic enzymes and imaging studies (US and CT). Acute pancreatitis was considered to be severe with a Ranson score >3. All patients underwent a standard 12-lead electrocardiographic recording upon admission in the hospital. Heart frequency, atrioventricular conduction, atrial and ventricular ectopy, T and ST abnormalities and QTc were analysed. Results: There were 149 (49, 2%) patients with acute pancreatitis Ranson score 3 (Group B). Difference between two groups in measured PR interval was statistically significant (151, 2+/-36, 9 vs. 140, 6+/-50, 9ms, p=0, 04). There were 17 (11, 4%) patients with ST abnormality in group A, and 41 (26, 7%) in group B ; the difference was statistically significant differece (p>0, 05). Occurrence of bradycardia (f100/min) was not significantly different (p>0, 05). Coclusion: Duration of PR interval and occurrence of ST segment abnormalities showed statistically significant difference in two groups. Our patients with severe acute pancreatitis had shortened time of atrioventricular conduction and more frequent abnormalities in ventricular repolarisation compared to the control group.