SHORT REPORT Insular lesions, ECG abnormalities, and outcome in acute stroke

It has been suggested that lesions in the insula may result in abnormal electrocardiographic (ECG) findings and increase the risk of sudden death. We investigated if computed tomography (CT) detected insular lesions due to acute stroke were related to ECG abnormalities and mortality at three months. Acute insular lesions were diagnosed in 43/179 patients (left insular = 25; right insular = 17; bilateral = 1) with acute stroke (cerebral infarcts = 62 and intracerebral haemorrhage = 17) based on CT scans from 5–8 days after stroke onset; 12 lead ECGs were recorded on admission and ECG telemetry was done in the first 12–24 hours after admission. Information regarding mortality at three months was obtained. Insular lesions were related to sinus tachycardia with heart rate.120 bpm (p = 0.001), ectopic beats.10