Key result
The QT nomogram serves as a risk assessment tool to detect abnormal QT intervals, overcoming the inaccuracies of automated ECG readouts and heart rate correction formulae.
Manual measurement of the QT interval and use of a QT nomogram are recommended over automated readouts and correction formulae for assessing the risk of drug-induced arrhythmias.
Supports QT nomogram for drug-induced arrhythmia risk; leaves open prospective validation before routine adoption.
Drugs can cause prolongation of the QT interval, alone or in combination, potentially leading to fatal arrhythmias such as torsades de pointes. When prescribing drugs that prolong the QT interval, the balance of benefit versus harm should always be considered. Readouts from automated ECG machines are unreliable. The QT interval should be measured manually. Changes in heart rate influence the absolute QT interval. Heart rate correction formulae are inaccurate, particularly for fast and slow heart rates. The QT nomogram, a plot of QT interval versus heart rate, can be used as a risk assessment tool to detect an abnormal QT interval.
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Geoffrey K. Isbister (2015) conducted a review in Drug-induced QT prolongation. QT nomogram was evaluated. The QT nomogram serves as a risk assessment tool to detect abnormal QT intervals, overcoming the inaccuracies of automated ECG readouts and heart rate correction formulae.
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