A study to assess cardiac manifestations of dengue fever and its correlation with warning signs

Aims and Objectives: To assess cardiac manifestations in patients of dengue fever and to find out the correlation of cardiac manifestations with prognosis/warning signs of dengue fever. Methods: It was conducted at Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital, Bareilly in the Department of Medicine in the month of July to September 2016. Fifty patients of age 20 years or more with positive dengue serology were interviewed and examined after taking an informed consent. ECG was done for all patients and few suspected patients underwent echo evaluation. The data was analyzed using statistical significance tests Results:12 patients had no warning signs, 38 patients had one warning sign or the other. Nine patients had severe dengue. The minimum pulse rate was 34 beats/minute. The most common cardiac abnormalities noted were rhythm abnormalities of which the commonest was sinus bradycardia, found in 32 percent. There was statistically significant correlation between cardiac manifestations and all the warning signs except persistent vomiting. Among severe dengue, fluid accumulation causing respiratory distress was found to have a significant correlation with the cardiac manifestations Conclusion: The most common cardiac manifestations noted were transient rhythm abnormalities, of which sinus bradycardia was the commonest. There was no evidence of myocarditis in any of the patients. There was statistically significant correlation between cardiac manifestations and all the warning signs except persistent vomiting. Among severe dengue, fluid accumulation causing respiratory distress was found to have a significant correlation with the cardiac manifestations