Why the study?
Is a prolonged QT interval associated with reduced heart rate variability in patients with untreated uncomplicated essential hypertension?
Population
215 untreated patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension
Comparison
Prolonged QTc (≥440 ms) vs Normal QTc (<440 ms)
Design
Cross-sectional
Key result
In patients with untreated essential hypertension, a prolonged QTc interval was associated with significantly reduced heart rate variability, including a lower 24-hour SDNN (126.4 vs 143.9 ms).
Authors
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May indicate autonomic dysfunction in untreated hypertension; hypothesis-generating and requires prospective validation before clinical use.
Cross-Sectional (n=215)
No
Is a prolonged QT interval associated with reduced heart rate variability in patients with untreated uncomplicated essential hypertension?
Absolute Event Rate: 126.4% vs 143.9%
p-value: p=0.02
In untreated essential hypertension, a prolonged QTc interval is associated with reduced heart rate variability, suggesting coexisting autonomic dysfunction and increased cardiovascular risk.
Maule et al. (2008) conducted a cross-sectional in Untreated uncomplicated essential hypertension (n=215). Prolonged QTc (≥440 ms) vs. Normal QTc (<440 ms) was evaluated on 24-hour SDNN (Standard deviation of all normal-to-normal intervals) (p=0.02). In patients with untreated essential hypertension, a prolonged QTc interval was associated with significantly reduced heart rate variability, including a lower 24-hour SDNN (126.4 vs 143.9 ms).