Cardiac Manifestations in Dengue: A Cross-Sectional Study From a Tertiary Care Center in South India

Background: Dengue, a mosquito-borne viral illness endemic to tropical regions, can lead to a wide spectrum of systemic complications. Among these, cardiac involvement is increasingly recognized but often underdiagnosed. Objective: To assess the incidence and pattern of cardiac manifestations in dengue fever patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital in South India. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 serologically confirmed dengue patients. All pati Methods: ents underwent clinical examination, electrocardiography (ECG), 2D echocardiography (ECHO) and Troponin I in selected patients. Exclusion criteria included preexisting cardiac disease or medications affecting cardiac rhythm. Cardiac abnormalities were identifi Results: ed in 45% of patients. ECG findings included sinus tachycardia (24%), bradycardia (15%), ST-T changes (11%), T-wave inversions (10%), and ventricular arrhythmias (3%). Echocardiographic findings included reduced ejection fraction (11%), diastolic dysfunction (7%), pericardial effusion (6%), and right-sided chamber dilatation (4%). Cardiac manifestations correlated positively with dengue severity. Cardiac Conclusion: manifestations in dengue are common but often subclinical. Routine ECG and echocardiographic evaluation should be considered to enable timely diagnosis and prevent complications.