Electrocardiographic Findings in Sepsis

INTRODUCTION: Sepsis continues to be among the important causes of death in the world. This study aimed to determine the electrocardiography (ECG) findings observed in patients with sepsis and to reveal their relationship with survival.
METHODS: This single-center, observational and descriptive study included 45 patients aged 18 and over who were followed up in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of XXXX Hospital in the last year and were diagnosed with sepsis. Demographic characteristics, laboratory results, clinical course and ECG findings of the patients were documented. Mortality status of the patients was recorded. Patients were divided into two groups (survivors and non-survivors) according to 28-day mortality results. Demographic characteristics, laboratory data and ECG findings were compared between these groups.
RESULTS: Among the patients included in the study, 60% were female and 40% were male. Comparing patients in terms of survival, the median APACHE II score, median SOFA score, and the presence of atrial fibrillation (AF) were significantly higher in the non-surviving group (p=0.001; p=0.034; p=0.001; p=0.034; p=0.047). Multivariate analysis revealed that factors influencing survival were the APACHE II score and the presence of AF (p= 0.001 and p = 0.048).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Cardiac effects can be seen in patients with sepsis. AF may be a sign indicating mortality in patients with sepsis.