QT dispersion was significantly greater in ankylosing spondylitis patients than controls (52.8 vs 35.5 ms, P<0.0001) and correlated with ventricular extrasystole frequency (r=0.35, P<0.01).
Is QT dispersion increased and associated with ventricular arrhythmias in patients with ankylosing spondylitis compared to healthy controls?
QT dispersion is significantly increased in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and correlates with ventricular arrhythmias, suggesting its potential utility as an early marker of cardiac involvement.
Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate QT dispersion (QTd), an indicator of repolarization heterogeneity, and its relation to ventricular arrhythmias in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: A full history, clinical examination, electrocardiograms and 24-h Holter monitoring were performed in 88 AS patients and 31 volunteers of similar age and sex. Groups were compared based on electrocardiographic abnormality, QTd, arrhythmias and heart blocks. RESULTS: QTd and corrected QTd (QTcd) were significantly greater in AS patients than controls (QTd, 52.8 +/- 15.1 vs 35.5 +/- 8.9 ms, P: < 0.0001; QTcd, 60.3 +/- 16.1 vs 39.4 +/- 10.7 ms, P: < 0.0001). The magnitudes of these parameters were associated with the duration of the disease (QTd, r = 0.56, P: < 0.01; QTcd, r = 0.60, P: < 0.001). The frequency of ventricular extrasystoles was found to be correlated with QTd (r = 0.35, P: < 0.01) and QTcd (r = 0.33, P: < 0. 01). CONCLUSION: Involvement of the heart may be seen in AS during the early clinical course of the disease. QTd may give clues about the presence of arrhythmias and can be used as a new technique for the evaluation of asymptomatic patients. Earlier detection of cardiac involvement could alter the prognosis of the patients.
Yı́ldı́rı́r et al. (Tue,) reported a other. QT dispersion was significantly greater in ankylosing spondylitis patients than controls (52.8 vs 35.5 ms, P<0.0001) and correlated with ventricular extrasystole frequency (r=0.35, P<0.01).