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High prevalence of prolonged QT interval duration in male patients with Cushing's disease

F Pecori Giraldi1, P M Toja, G Michailidis

  • 1Chair of Endocrinology, University of Milan, Italy. fpg@auxologico.it

Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes : Official Journal, German Society of Endocrinology [And] German Diabetes Association
|March 5, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Men with Cushing's disease show prolonged QT intervals, increasing cardiac arrhythmia risk. Low testosterone and hypokalemia contribute to this dangerous heart condition in males.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Hypogonadal males exhibit prolonged QT intervals, a risk factor for cardiac arrhythmias.
  • Cushing's disease causes excess cortisol, leading to low testosterone in men, but its effect on QT interval is unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate QT interval duration in male and female patients with Cushing's disease.
  • To determine if Cushing's disease is associated with prolonged QT intervals in men.

Main Methods:

  • Electrocardiographic QT intervals were measured in 19 men and 35 women with Cushing's disease.
  • QT intervals were corrected for heart rate (QTc) using Bazett's formula.
  • Prolonged QTc was defined as >440 msec for men and >460 msec for women.

Main Results:

  • Male Cushing's patients had significantly longer mean QTc (426.9±9.27 msec) than controls (389.7±8.31 msec).
  • 26% of men with Cushing's disease presented with prolonged QTc.
  • No women with Cushing's disease showed prolonged QTc.

Conclusions:

  • Male patients with Cushing's disease exhibit QT interval prolongation, raising the risk of ventricular arrhythmias.
  • Low testosterone levels and hypokalemia are associated with prolonged QT intervals in men with Cushing's disease.
Abstract

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