Journal of Clinical Toxicology
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0495
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2161-0495
+44 1478 350008
Juliane Theilade
The Heart Centre, Rigshospitalet,
Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 Copenhagen
Denmark
Research Article
QT Interval Prolongation after Cardiac Surgery; An Interesting Biological Phenomenon or A Clinical Problem? Data from the Prolonqit Study
Author(s): Mohammad Toma, Peter Marstrand, Kristina Holmenlund, Saadia Umar, Michael Wanscher, Steen Pehrson and Juliane TheiladeMohammad Toma, Peter Marstrand, Kristina Holmenlund, Saadia Umar, Michael Wanscher, Steen Pehrson and Juliane Theilade
Abstract Objective: Intrinsic and extrinsic factors may combine to delay the cardiac repolarization measured as the QT interval in the 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). As the duration of the QT interval is widely applied as an–albeit imperfect–marker of risk for malignant arrhythmias we characterized the prevalence and consequences of iatrogenic QT prolongation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Design/patients/setting: We prospectively included clinical data and ECGs from 259 patients admitted to the intensive care unit following cardiac surgery. Main results: Prolonged QT interval is common in patients undergoing cardiac surgery; 18% of patients displayed a QTc interval longer than 500 ms in the immediate postoperative period. The majority of these patients also showed QTc prolongation before surgery, however, the QTc interval was additionally prolonged following .. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2161-0495.1000195