Simultaneous electrocardiogram during routine electroencephalogram: arrhythmia rates through the eyes of the cardiologist.


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ÖNDER H., TEZER FİLİK F. İ., HEKİMSOY V., SAYGI S.

Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria, vol.79, no.1, pp.15-21, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 79 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.1590/0004-282x20200105
  • Journal Name: Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Psycinfo, Veterinary Science Database, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Page Numbers: pp.15-21
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Background: The importance of simultaneous 2-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) recording during routine electroencephalogram (EEG) has been reported several times on clinical grounds. Objective: To investigate arrhythmia rates detected by simultaneous 2-lead ECG in our patient sample undergoing routine EEG. Remarkably, we sought to assess the possible expansion of results with a more experienced interpretation of simultaneous ECG. Methods: Simultaneous 2-lead ECG recordings during routine EEG, performed between January and March, 2016, have been retrospectively analyzed by a cardiology specialist. In addition, EEG reports were screened with the keywords 'arrhythmia, tachycardia, bradycardia, atrial fibrillation, extrasystote' to evaluate the neurologist interpretation. Results: Overall, 478 routine EEG recordings were scanned. The mean age of the patients was 42.8 +/- 19.8 (16-95), with a sex ratio of 264/214 (F/M). In 80 (17%) patients, findings compatible with arrhythmia were identified on simultaneous ECG after a cardiologist's evaluation. The detected arrhythmia subtypes were: ventricular extrasystole (n=27; 5.6%), supraventricular extrasystole (n=23; 4.8%), tachycardia (n=9; 1.8%), prolonged QRS duration (n=7; 8.7%), atrial fibrillation (n=6;1.2%), and block (n=6; 1.2%). On the other hand, keywords related to arrhythmia were present in 45 (9.4%) of EEG reports. The reported statements were tachycardia (3.3%), arrhythmia (2.5%), bradycardia (2.1%), and extrasystole (1.5%). Conclusions:A considerably high rate of arrhythmia cases was determined on simultaneous ECG during routine EEG after being interpreted by a cardiologist. However, the screening results of EEG reports revealed relatively low arrhythmia rates. These results suggest that the detection rates of ECG abnormalities during routine EEG may be potentially improved.