ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC OBSERVATIONS DURING A POLIOMYELITIS EPIDEMIC

Abstract

During the 1946 poliomyelitis epidemic in Colorado, ecg''s. were made in 155 cases within 2 mos. after onset of the disease. Ecg. abnormalities observed in 20 patients consisted of T-wave alterations in both the limb and the chest leads, together with 2 cases of right ventricular strain and 2 cases of A-V conduction disturbances. The frequency of abnormal ecg''s. was considerably greater in the severely ill patients, especially those with bulbospinal involvement. These changes tended to appear within the first 2 weeks after onset and tended to disappear within 2 mos. when there was clinical improvement. Ecg''s. were obtained prior to death in 5 fatal cases. Pathological studies showed cellular infiltration chiefly lymphocytic with small number of polymorpho-nuclear cells and monocytes.