Resting ECG changes in long term survivors after carotid endarterectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prevalence of resting ECG findings preoperatively and at the follow-up examination in long term survivors after carotid endarterectomy and to find out possible alteration in ECG pattern between preoperative and follow-up ECG records.


METHODS
Tampere University Hospital.


METHODS
150 patients intended to control examination. There were 97 men and 53 women with the mean age of 63.7 years.


METHODS
Carotid endarterectomy.


METHODS
Preoperative and follow-up ECG records were classified according to Minnesota coding system.


RESULTS
No reportable ECG items were found in 92.0% of patients preoperatively and in 78.5% at the follow-up examination. In 13.3% of patients ECG pattern was changed during the follow-up. Q-QS-changes were found in 6.7% of patients preoperatively and in 16.1% of patients at the follow-up examination. Atrial fibrillation appeared in 4.7% of patients during the follow-up. One new RBBB was found at the follow-up ECG.


CONCLUSIONS
In this selected material resting ECG changes in long term survivors after carotid endarterectomy were relatively few. ECG changes found were mostly suggestive of ischemic heart disease and progression to more frequent ischemic changes during the follow-up was obvious.
Kuukasjärvi
P
P
Department of Surgery, Tampere University Hospital, Finland.
Salenius
J P
JP
Tarkka
M
M
Riekkinen
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004562:Electrocardiography; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged