Electrocardiographic parameters indicative for increased risk of adverse events in diabetics after coronary artery bypass grafting

Objectives: The goal of the study is to analyze the changes of ECG parameters caused by coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and to evaluate their relevance to the assessment of cardiac risk in diabetics (DM) and non-diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: ECG recordings of 50 patients (men 48, mean age 63.2±7.5) undergoing CABG surgery were collected: The number of bypass-per patient varied from 1 to 4 (47% of patients received 4). ECGs were recorded pre-and post-surgery, from 2 to 10 days after the intervention. Eighteen patients were diagnosed with type II diabetes. Six of these diabetics were on subcutaneous insulin treatment. Results and Discussions: The parameters' measurements were performed on an average P-QRS-T interval. The perioperative ECG changes were different for the DM and non-DM groups. Patients with DM demonstrated a deterioration in several ECG parameters: QRSampl, QRSmorph, Tamp and HR. QRSdur did not change significantly in DM, while it improved perioperatively in non-DM subjects. Conclusion: ECG parameters respond differently in the perioperative period of CABG surgery in DM and non-DM patients. Diabetics suffer a deterioration in most of the measured ECG indices, which was not observed in non-DM.