Abstract

GINZO CANETE, Alejandro Daniel. Prolonged QTc interval in adult patients. Rev. Virtual Soc. Parag. Med. Int. [online]. 2015, vol.2, n.2, pp.9-22. ISSN 2312-3893.  https://doi.org/10.18004/rvspmi/2312-3893/2015.02(02)09-022.

Introduction: The prolonged QTc interval has been identified as a risk factor for ventricular arrhythmias and even sudden death. Objective: To establish the prevalence of prolonged QTc in hospitalized patients. Methodology: Prospective descriptive observational study that included 123 patients hospitalized in the Service of Medical Clinic and urgency rooms of the National Hospital in 2014. A value > 0.44 seg in men and >0.46 seg in women for 4 derivations: aVL, DII, V5 and V6Se were considered as prolonged QTc. Results: The prevalence of QTc was 26% with a predominance of men (71%). The main associated comorbidity was diabetes mellitus. K+, Ca⁺² and Mg+ electrolytes were low in most patients. A 16% of the patients with prolonged QTc died. Conclusions: A high prevalence (26%) of prolonged Qtc was found. More complex studies are required to determine the association of this pathology with the comorbidities, neurological symptoms, use of medicines and alteration of electrolytes detected.

Keywords : prolonged QTc; electrocardiogram; sudden death; torsades de pointes.

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