THE ELECTROCARDIOGRAM IN COMATOSE STATES

The electrocardiogram was analyzed with special reference to corrected Q-T interval (QT(c)) in three groups of patients: 27 patients in coma due to intoxication for various reasons, 30 patients in coma due to s troke and in 30 controls. Q-T interval was analyzed in three consecuti ve cycles in all 12 leads, and the longest and shortest values were re gistered and Q-T-c dispersion calculated. QT(c) was calculated accordi ng to Bazett's formula, to a formula using a cube root for calculating the heart's frequency. In each group relative risk of prolonged QT(c) was calculated according to the formula: RR = AXD/B X C. The QT(c) wa s prolonged in 55.5% of patients in coma clue to intoxication, in 53.3 % in coma due to stroke anal 6.7% in controls. lit relation to the con trols, the relative risk of prolonged QT(c) in patients in coma clue t o intoxication was 17.5, and in coma due to stroke 16.0. There was no difference in relative risk for prolonged QT(c) between the group of p atients in coma due to intoxication anal due to stroke: 0.9. According to arrhythmias, the most frequent findings were sinus tachycardia (40 .7% in coma due to intoxication and 26.7% in coma due to stroke) and a trial fibrillation (7.4% in coma due to intoxication and 23.3% in coma due to stroke). The highest values of dispersion of QT(c) were seen i n patients in coma due to intoxication: 88.9 +/- 51.8 ms, compared to those in coma due to stroke: 75.6 +/- 43.0 ms, (t = 1.059, p = 0.294) in relation to controls: 31.4 +/- 10.0 ms (p = 5.967, p <0.001, and p = 5.488, p <0.001). There was no correlation of QT(c) and serum potass ium level, serum magnesium level or calcium level, or metabolic acidos is.