A Study on Cardiovascular Manifestations in Leptospirosis

Authors

  • Bhanushree R Assistant Professor, Department of General Medicine, K S Hegde Medical Academy, NITTE (Deemed to be university), Mangalore, India Author

Keywords:

Leptospirosis; Cardiovascular manifestations; Electrocardiography; Ejection fraction; CK-MB

Abstract

Introduction: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic infection ranging from mild febrile illness to severe multiorgan dysfunction. Cardiovascular involvement may be apparent or subclinical and can include arrhythmias, conduction abnormalities, myocarditis, ventricular dysfunction, hypotension, and shock.

Aim & Objective: To characterize cardiovascular manifestations in patients with leptospirosis, identify electrocardiographic abnormalities, assess the relationship between left ventricular ejection fraction and mortality, and evaluate the association of serum CK-MB levels with mortality.

Materials & Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of General Medicine, Justice K.S. Hegde Charitable Hospital, Mangalore, from January 2018 to June 2019. Fifty adults with positive Lepto card, IgM anti-Leptospira ELISA, or Modified Faine’s score ≥25 were included, while patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease were excluded. Clinical examination, ECG, echocardiography, ejection fraction, CK-MB, and in-hospital outcomes were assessed.

Results: The mean age was 43.64 ± 14.94 years and 86% were males. Sinus tachycardia was the commonest ECG abnormality at 30%, followed by atrial fibrillation at 6%, ST-T changes at 4%, and multifocal atrial tachycardia, VPCs, and LBBB at 2% each. Ejection fraction was 51–60% in 88%, while global hypokinesia occurred in 8%. Overall mortality was 10%. Mortality increased with declining ejection fraction, reaching 100% in the single patient with EF ≤30%. Among patients with global hypokinesia, median CK-MB was significantly higher in non-survivors than survivors (100.55 vs 37.15; p=0.031).

Conclusion: Cardiovascular involvement is clinically important in leptospirosis. ECG abnormalities, reduced ejection fraction, global hypokinesia, and elevated CK-MB may identify patients at higher risk and support monitoring and timely management.

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Published

2026-09-26

Issue

Vol. 3 No. Issue 1 (2026)

Section

Articles

How to Cite

A Study on Cardiovascular Manifestations in Leptospirosis. (2026). Journal of Surgical Research and Reviews (ISSN: 3041-4857) , 3(Issue 1), 1-8. https://www.internationalmedicalpublishing.com/index.php/JSRR/article/view/339