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Prolonged QT dispersion in children with congenital valvular aortic stenosis

Anna Piorecka-Makula1, Bozena Werner

  • 1Department of Pediatric Cardiology and General Pediatrics, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. pioreckamakula@poczta.onet.pl

Medical Science Monitor : International Medical Journal of Experimental and Clinical Research
|October 1, 2009
PubMed

Insights

QT dispersion is elevated in children with aortic valve stenosis, indicating a higher risk of ventricular arrhythmia. This measure correlates with stenosis severity and cardiac hypertrophy.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Cardiac Electrophysiology
  • Valvular Heart Disease

Background:

  • Aortic valve stenosis can cause cardiac hypertrophy and ischemia, predisposing to life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias.
  • Abnormal action potential duration in cardiac cells is linked to arrhythmia development.
  • Understanding arrhythmia risk factors in pediatric aortic valve stenosis is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate QT dispersion in children with varying stages of aortic valve stenosis.
  • To correlate QT dispersion with left ventricular mass index in these patients.
  • To assess the relationship between QT dispersion and ventricular arrhythmia.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study involving 60 children with aortic valve stenosis and 60 healthy controls.
  • Utilized Doppler echocardiography, standard 12-lead ECG, and 24-hour Holter monitoring.
  • Children with aortic valve stenosis were stratified by pressure gradients.

Main Results:

  • Children with aortic stenosis exhibited significantly higher QT dispersion compared to controls.
  • A positive correlation was observed between QT dispersion and left ventricular mass index.
  • QT dispersion was significantly elevated in patients with ventricular arrhythmia and increased with pressure gradient.

Conclusions:

  • Ventricular arrhythmia risk escalates with aortic valve stenosis severity and cardiac hypertrophy.
  • Prolonged QT dispersion in pediatric aortic valve stenosis, especially with arrhythmia, is linked to pressure gradient and hypertrophy.
  • QT dispersion serves as a valuable indicator of arrhythmia risk in this population.
Abstract

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