Association between ventricular repolarization and main cardiovascular risk factors

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Electrophysiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Ventricular repolarization abnormalities, indicated by QT interval and QT dispersion, are associated with cardiovascular disease risk.
• Understanding these associations in specific populations, like middle-aged women, is crucial for risk stratification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between QT interval, QT dispersion, and major cardiovascular risk factors.
• To assess these associations in a population of women aged 50-69 years in Tallinn.

Main Methods:

• A random sample of 302 women from Tallinn underwent 12-lead resting electrocardiography (ECG), echocardiography, and laboratory tests.
• Corrected QT interval (QTc) and QT dispersion (QTD) were calculated from the ECG data.
• Statistical analyses included correlation, multiple logistic regression, and multivariable linear regression.

Main Results:

• Significant correlations were found between QTc, QTD, and various cardiovascular parameters including systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, blood pressure grade, heart rate, left ventricular mass index, and overall cardiovascular risk grade.
• Independent risk factors for prolonged QTc and QTD included arterial hypertension, high pulse pressure (≥ 60 mm Hg), age over 65, family history of cardiovascular disease, and left ventricular hypertrophy.
• Multivariable regression confirmed independent associations between QTc/QTD and systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, heart rate, and left ventricular mass index.

Conclusions:

• Electrocardiographic parameters reflecting ventricular repolarization (QTc and QTD) are significantly associated with key cardiovascular risk factors in Tallinn women aged 50-69.
• Arterial hypertension, elevated pulse pressure, older age, family history of cardiovascular disease, and left ventricular hypertrophy are independently linked to prolonged QTc and QTD.
• These findings underscore the clinical relevance of monitoring ventricular repolarization in middle-aged women, particularly those with cardiovascular risk factors.