March 12, 2026Open Access

Electrophysiological Response in Hypertensive Crisis: An Evaluation of the ICEB Score

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

ICEB scores increase significantly after treatment in discharged patients with hypertensive urgency, indicating improved cardiac electrical balance. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Key Result

ICEB scores increased significantly after treatment in discharged patients with hypertensive urgency, indicating improved cardiac electrical balance (p = 0.006).

Key Points

Evaluate changes in ICEB and ICEBc scores in patients with hypertensive urgency and link to clinical outcomes.
Retrospective analysis of 50 patients in an emergency department with hypertensive urgency
Pre- and post-treatment ECG assessments with calculation of ICEB and ICEBc scores
Comparisons made within groups (discharged vs hospitalized) and between groups
66% of patients were female with a mean age of 60.4 years
Significant increase in ICEB scores post-treatment for discharged patients (p = 0.006)
ICEBc scores showed no significant change in either group
No significant differences in ICEBc values between discharged and hospitalized patients

Structured PICO

Does antihypertensive treatment alter ICEB and ICEBc scores in patients with hypertensive urgency?

Population

50 patients presenting to a tertiary university hospital emergency department with hypertensive urgency, mean age 60.4 ± 14.5 years, 66% female.

Intervention

Antihypertensive treatment for hypertensive urgency

Comparator

Pre-treatment baseline (within-subject comparison) and comparison between discharged vs hospitalized patients

Outcome

Pre- and post-treatment changes in ICEB (QT/QRS) and ICEBc (QTc/QRS) scoressurrogate

The ICEB score may serve as a dynamic marker reflecting the electrophysiological response to antihypertensive treatment and restoration of electrical stability in hypertensive crises.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%

Abstract

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the pre- and post-treatment changes in ICEB and ICEBc score markers of cardiac electrical balance in patients presenting to the emergency department with hypertensive urgency and to investigate their relationship with short-term clinical outcomes. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 50 patients who presented to a tertiary university hospital emergency department between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2024 with a diagnosis of hypertensive urgency and had pre- and post-treatment 12-lead ECGs were analysed. ICEB (QT/QRS) and ICEBc (QTc/QRS) scores were calculated manually. Patients were categorized as discharged or hospitalized. Within-group and between-group comparisons of the scores were performed. Results: Of the patients, 66% were female, and the mean age was 60.4 ± 14.5 years. A statistically significant increase in ICEB scores was observed after treatment in discharged patients (p = 0.006), whereas ICEBc scores showed no significant change. In the hospitalized group, no significant difference was found in either ICEB or ICEBc scores. Additionally, between-group comparisons revealed no significant differences in ICEBc values. Conclusions: The ICEB score may serve as a dynamic marker reflecting the electrophysiological response to antihypertensive treatment. The observed increase in ICEB after treatment may indicate the restoration of electrical stability. In contrast, ICEBc appeared to have limited predictive value in this clinical context. Further prospective studies with larger populations are needed to determine the clinical utility of ICEB in the management of hypertensive crises.

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