DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2015.v03i01.092

Pages: 470-472

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a common global problem and most common medical problem carrying significant morbidity and mortality. Electrocardiography (ECG) carries information about cardiac disease and prognosis. So, the present study was undertaken with a view to assess ECG changes in patients with COPD. The observational study was carried out in the department of Pulmonary Medicine and General medicine, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Pillayarkuppum, Puducherry, India. Among 50 patients with COPD, ECG was done and the findings are noted. Out of 50 patients included in the study, right axis deviation is seen in 14 cases (28%), R/S ratio less than 1 in V6 is seen in 11 cases (22%), R/S ratio greater than 1 in V1 is seen in 8 cases (16%), P-pulmonale is seen in 10 cases (20%), ST segment depression in lead II, III, aVF is seen in 4 cases (8%), T wave inversion in leads V1-V3 is seen in 9 cases (18%), Right Bundle Branch Block (RBBB) is seen in 3 cases (6%), lead I sign is seen in 1 case (2 %), ventricular ectopics were seen in 2 cases (4%), Multifocal atrial tachycardia is seen in 1 case (2%), SI, SII, SIII pattern is seen in 1 case (2%). In the present study, ECG abnormalities suggestive of Right Ventricular Hypertrophy (RVH) were found in more than half of the patients included in study.