Electrocardiographic abnormalities in patients with anorexia nervosa.

Nine patients with anorexia nervosa are described, 7 of whom have abnormal electrocardiograms. These are contrasted with 2 patients with other psychiatric disorders who had also lost weight through failure to eat, and whose electrocardiograms were normal. The abnormalities occurred in the absence of cardiac disease and with normal serum electrolytes. It is postulated that the abnormalities are mediated through stimulation of sympathetic centres within the hypothalamus and release of catecholamines within the myocardium.