Myocardial Dysfunction in Elderly Patients Admitted with Non-Cardiac Diagnosis in Intensive Care Unit

Background and Objectives: The diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes can be challenging inpatients admitted with the non-cardiac disease to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The study aimed todetermine the clinical profile of critically ill elderly patients developing myocardial injury who wereadmitted to ICU for non-cardiac diagnosis. Materials and Methods: The retrospective studysubjects are 130 patients admitted to the medical ICU. Within 24 hours of admission to ICU adetailed history, a 12 lead ECG, CK-MB, Cardiac troponin T was done and as required based on ECGfindings and development of clinical symptoms. Results: Our study showed that 35 out of 130patients developed acute myocardial injury. 13 out of 35 patients who had myocardial injury had afatal outcome. The prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, history of CVA, history of IHD andCOPD reached statistical significance (p<0.001) between the two groups of patients who developedmyocardial injury and who did not develop a myocardial injury. In patients with multiplecomorbidities, the presence of factors like hypoxia, hypotension and the use of vasopressorsincreases the risk of mortality. Conclusion: All elderly patients who are hospitalized with or withoutmultiple comorbidities with an acute form of stressors must be evaluated aggressively forprecipitants and adequately treated to prevent myocardial injury.