Correlation Between Haemoglobin Level and Electrocardiographic (ECG) Findings in Anaemia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Anaemia affects the body by decreased oxygen (O2 ) carrying capacity of the blood. There is growing evidence that anaemia contributes to cardiac disease and death. It causes O2 supply – demand myocardial mismatch causing myocardial ischemia. There is diversity of opinion available in literature on reports of electrocardiographic (ECG) changes in anaemia. Aim: To study the ECG changes in anemic population and to correlate ECG changes seen with increasing severity of anaemia. Materials and Methods: In hundred anemic adults, haemoglobin level and resting ECG were recorded. They were grouped according to haemoglobin level. ECG findings and varying severity of haemoglobin (Hb) level of each group were correlated using Pearson’s co-relation co-efficient and association was calculated using Chi-square test. Results: ECG changes in patients with Hb level of 0-5gm% showed ST segment depression in 50-75%, T wave changes in 29-50% and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH) in 25-30% of patients. Less percentage of patients with 5-7gm% Hb showed such changes, and patients with 7-8gm% Hb, showed no changes. As the Hb level decreased there was more percentage of patients having tachycardia and ECG changes. There was a strong negative correlation between Hb level and tachycardia and ECG changes. Conclusion: Diagnosing anaemia in critical care can be supported by ECG changes like ST depression, T wave changes, with/ without associated QRS abnormalities to avoid misdiagnosis and also as dramatic clinical and ECG recovery can be achieved with anaemia correction.

Keywords

• anaemia
• electrocardiographic changes
• st depression
• cardiac changes