Major depressive disorder is an independent predictor of the electrocardiographic frontal QRS-T angle

OBJECTIVES: The relationship between ventricular arrhythmias and major depressive disorder (MDD) has been previously revealed. Recently, frontal QRS-T angle (fQRSTa) and Tp-Te/QT ratio proved to provide more accurate predictive data about ventricular arrhythmias than the measurement of QT, QTc, and QT dispersion. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of MDD on contemporary ventricular arrhythmia indicators. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 57 newly diagnosed MDD patients and 65 healthy subjects were included in the study. Hamilton depression rating scale (HAM-D) and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) were administered and ECG measurements were obtained. Ventricular arrhythmia predisposition was assessed by calculating the Tp-Te/QT ratio in addition to fQRSTa. RESULTS: fQRSTa and Tp-Te/QT ratio values in the MDD group were significantly higher than the control group. Correlation analyses revealed that Tp-Te/QT ratio and fQRSTa significantly correlated with (HAM-D). It was found with linear regression analysis, MDD existence and its severities were independent predictors of fQRSTa and Tp-Te/QT ratio. CONCLUSION: MDD predisposes to ventricular arrhythmia by causing increased fQRSTa and Tp-Te/QT ratio on ECG. Increased fQRSTa and Tp-Te/QT ratio may be useful indicators of dysregulation in the autonomic nervous system and increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias in MDD patients (Tab. 6, Fig. 4, Ref. 38). Text in PDF www.elis.sk Keywords: major depressive disorder, Hamilton depression rating scale, frontal QRS-T angle, Tp-Te/QT ratio.