ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC AND SERUM ENZYME CHANGES IN SUBARACHNOID HEMORRHAGE

Serial ECG's and serum enzyme estimations were performed on twenty patients with primary subarachnoid hemorrhage and abnormalities in these have been correlated with conscious state and arterial pCO2 levels. Major changes in the ECG are not as frequent as in other reported series. The presence or absence of pathological Q waves is the most useful point in differentiation from myocardial infarction. Serum enzyme levels are elevated in both subarachnoid hemorrhage and myocardial infarction, but consideration of the time pattern of enzyme elevation may be helpful in differentiation. The cause of the electrocardiographic changes is unknown, but a theory is advanced to explain these changes and to explain in part the associated enzyme abnormalities. © 1969.