Spectrum of cardiac abnormalities associated with long QT in stroke survivors

K Y K Wong1, S McSwiggan, N S J Kennedy

  • 1Division of Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK. kywong@doctors.org.uk

Insights

Long QT syndrome in stroke survivors is linked to increased cardiac abnormalities, including higher blood pressure and left ventricular mass. This association may explain their elevated risk of cardiac death.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Neurology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Stroke survivors often face increased cardiovascular risks.
  • Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a recognized risk factor for cardiac events.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the spectrum of cardiac abnormalities in stroke survivors with prolonged QTc interval (QTc max).
  • To determine the association between QTc max and cardiac risk factors in post-stroke patients.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study of 202 stroke survivors with good recovery.
  • Cardiac assessments included ECG, echocardiography, myocardial perfusion scan, and heart rate variability.
  • QTc max calculated using Bazett's formula from digitized ECGs.

Main Results:

  • Prolonged QTc max correlated with elevated blood pressure and left ventricular mass index.
  • Increased number of cardiac abnormalities was associated with more prolonged QTc max.
  • QTc max remained significantly associated with left ventricular mass index after adjusting for blood pressure.

Conclusions:

  • Long QT is linked to increased left ventricular mass and overall cardiac disease burden in stroke survivors.
  • These findings suggest a potential mechanism for the heightened cardiac mortality risk in stroke patients with long QTc.
  • Identifying cardiac abnormalities in long QT stroke survivors is crucial for risk stratification.
Abstract

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