Changes in Cardiac Rhythm in a Case of Rheumatic Mitral Disease Complicated with Broncho-Pneumonia

MOHAMMAD YUSUF, m.d. Clinical Assistant, K. E. Medical College, Lahore The following case of rheumatic mitral disease seems worthy of record on account of the changes in cardiac rhythm and in the electrocardiogram that took place over a short space of time following an acute infection. T. R., aged 24, Hindu male, was admitted to hospital on January 16th with influenzal broncho-pneumonia. The disease was moderately severe but ended in complete resolution nine days after admission. It was most marked at the base of the left lung. The temperature was 101 ?F. throughout the illness, and the fall to normal took place gradually in three days. The patient stated that apart from the attack of influenza he had been suffering from breathlessness on exertion, cough with moderate expectoration and haemoptysis for the previous 5 years. The haemoptysis varied from blood streaks in the sputum to quantities up to eight ounces or so. In 1922 he had articular rheumatism for about a month, and five years later he had another attack of similar duration. The rheumatic fever was severe on each occasion.