Cardiac Abnormalities in Chronic Alcoholism

Abstract

The incidence of cardiac abnormalities was studied in 107 cases with chronic alcoholism, admitted to a psychiatric ward. More than half of them adhered to drink Japanese sake almost exclusively.Either palpitation or shortness of breath was seen in 49 cases, cardiothoracic ratio was more than 0.50 in 15 of the 78 cases examined, and abnormal ECG was obtained in 65 of the 103 cases.Among ECG abnormalities, broad and tall PII, high RV5, high T in leads V2 and V3 and QT prolongation were the most frequent. Various arrhythmias and conduction disturbances were also seen.The clinical picture suggested more than incidental association of diffuse myocardial involvement with chronic alcoholism.