Prolonged Q-T(c) interval in mild portal hypertensive cirrhosis
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
BACKGROUND/AIMS: The Q-T(c) interval is prolonged in a substantial fraction of patients with cirrhosis, thus indicating delayed repolarisation. However, no information is available in mild portal hypertensive patients. We therefore determined the Q-T(c) interval in cirrhotic patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) < 12 mmHg. METHODS: Forty-four patients with cirrhosis and HVPG < 12 mmHg underwent a haemodynamic study. They were compared with 36 cirrhotic patients with clinically significant portal hypertension (HVPG> or = 12 mmHg) and controls without liver disease. RESULTS: The fraction with prolonged Q-T(c) interval (> 0.440 s(1/2)) was similar in the two cirrhotic groups (49 vs 50%, ns) and significantly above that of the controls (5%, P < 0.005). Q-T(c) was normal in patients with normal HVPG. Likewise, mean Q-T(c) was 0.449 and 0.447 s(1/2) in the two cirrhotic groups (ns), values which are significantly above that of the controls (0.410 s(1/2), P < 0.01). In the mild portal hypertensive group, the Q-T(c) interval was inversely related to indicators of liver function, such as indocyanine green clearance (r = -0.34, P < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Delayed repolarisation of the myocardium already occurs in a substantial fraction of patients with cirrhosis with only a mild increase in portal pressure. The prolonged Q-T(c) interval may be related to liver dysfunction and to the presence of portal hypertension.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Journal of Hepatology |
Volume | 43 |
Issue number | 4 |
Pages (from-to) | 637-644 |
Number of pages | 8 |
ISSN | 0168-8278 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2005 |
Bibliographical note
Keywords: Adult; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Blood Pressure; Female; Hemodynamics; Humans; Hypertension, Portal; Liver Cirrhosis; Long QT Syndrome; Male; Middle Aged; Vascular Resistance
ID: 18052841