Arrhythmia Incidence and Risk Factors in Adult Critically Ill Patients in Intensive Care Unit

Authors : Gülnihal Aykut, Elif Ayşe Çizmeci, Nermin Kelebek Girgin, Aysel Kaderli Aydın, Remzi Iscimen, Ferda Şöhret Kahveci, Ali Aydınlar

Pages : 59-67

View : 88 | Download : 45

Publication Date : 2025-08-29

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Introduction: Cardiac arrhythmias may be observed at critically ill patients during intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and this condition may negatively affect the prognosis. In our study, we aimed to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of arrhythmias occurring in critically ill patients being treated in the ICU. Materials and Methods: The study included critically ill patients over the age of 18, who were receiving mechanical ventilation (MV), had at least one organ failure, but had no history of valvular hearth disease, cardiac surgery within the past 6 months, or myocardial infarction (MI). Demographic, hemodynamic and laboratory parameters, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score, ICU practices and treatments (tracheostomy, central venous catheter, inotrophic and vasoactive drugs. etc), diagnoses of sepsis, AKI (acute kidney injury), MI, and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) during ICU stay, duration of ICU and hospital stay, and outcome of ICU treatment were recorded. In patients who developed arrhythmia, an electrocardiography was performed. During arrhythmia episode, hemodynamic and laboratory parameters, the use of inotropic and vasoactive drug, the presence of diagnosis such as sepsis, AKI, MI and pneumonia as well as treatments applied for arrhythmia and their outcome were recorded. Results: The study included 214 patients, among whom 56 (26.1%) developed arrhythmia. Arrytmia incidence in females (55.5%) were higher than male patients (44.6%) (p=0.045). Arrhythmic patients were older (p<0.001), had higher APACHE II scores (p=0.001), and were more frequently admitted to the ICU with a diagnosis of CVE (cerebrovascular event) and trauma (p=0.021, p=0.032, respectively) compared to non-arrhythmic patients. Furthermore, a higher incidence of arrhythmia was observed in patients who developed VAP and sepsis during ICU stay (p<0.001, p<0.001 respectively). The most frequently observed type of arrhythmia was atrial fibrillation (53%). Conclusion: Older age, higher APACHE II score, CVE, trauma, VAP and sepsis increases arrhytmia risk in adult critically ill patients.
Keywords : Aritmi, yoğun bakım ünitesi, kritik hasta, atriyal fibrilasyon, ventiküler taşikardi

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