Arterial stiffness and QT interval prolongation in a general population: the Hisayama study

Few population studies have addressed the association of QT interval prolongation with clinical or subclinical arterial disease. The primary objective here was to examine the relationship between the pulse wave velocity (PWV) and the heart rate-corrected QT interval duration (QTc). This is a cross-sectional study, based on a survey of a general population of Japanese. We examined 2,666 community-dwelling individuals without history of cardiovascular disease, aged 40 or over. The PWV was measured between the brachial and ankle regions (baPWV). QTc was estimated using Bazett's equation. The age-adjusted mean values of QTc increased progressively with rising baPWV levels for either sex: for men, 397, 401, 403, and 406 ms for quartile groups defined by baPWV values of less than 1,369, 1,370 to 1,560, 1,561 to 1,840, and 1,841 or greater cm/s, respectively (p < 0.0001 for trend); for women, 406, 410, 414, and 417 ms for quartile groups defined by baPWV of less than 1,269, 1,270 to 1,493, 1,494 to 1,821, and 1,822 or greater cm/s, respectively (p < 0.0001 for trend). When male and female subjects were combined, this positive relationship between baPWV and QTc remained significant, even after controlling for age, sex, hypertension, ECG abnormalities, dyslipidemia, diabetes, obesity, serum calcium and potassium, alcohol intake, and smoking habits (p < 0.0001 for trend). In conclusion, baPWV is independently associated with QT interval prolongation.