Effects of aging and gender on QT dispersion in an overtly healthy population

The objective of this study was to measure the normal variation of QT dispersion (QTd) with respect to age and gender. The QT interval is a measure of the duration of ventricular depolarization and repolarization, while the QTd is a measure of the variability of the ventricular recovery time. The QTd has been suggested as a means of identifying those patients at risk for sustained ventricular tachyarrythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD). A total of 250 patients (120 women, 130 men; age range 20-86 years) were recruited for this study. The QT intervals were measured in each of the 12 standard leads of the electrocardiogram. Data are presented as mean (mu) +/- SD. The QTd did not vary significantly within the same gender. A significant difference (P < 0.001) was noted in QTd between men (age [mu] = 53.3 +/- 15.6 years, QTd = 0.044 +/- 0.019 s) and women (age [mu] = 52.1 +/- 15.1 years, QTd = 0.034 +/- 0.015 s). Overall, men had a greater QTd, while women had a longer QT. In conclusion, we found that men had a longer QTd, which may explain the increased risk of SCD. However, women have a longer QT interval with a smaller QTd. A longer QTmin, as opposed to a longer QTmax, is responsible for the shorter QTd in women. This longer QTmin in women may predispose to an increased risk of drug induced torsades de pointes.