Association between C-reactive protein, corrected QT interval and presence of QT prolongation in hypertensive
Kai-Ting Chang1, Hsu-Shien Shu2, Chun-Yuan Chu3
1Department of Family Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Insights
C-reactive protein (CRP) is linked to longer QTc intervals and QT prolongation in hypertensive patients. This finding suggests CRP may aid in cardiovascular risk assessment for this population.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biomarkers
- Hypertension Research
Background:
- C-reactive protein (CRP) and corrected QT (QTc) interval are established cardiovascular disease predictors.
- The association between CRP and QTc interval/QT prolongation in hypertensive patients remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between CRP levels and QTc interval duration and QT prolongation in hypertensive individuals.
- To determine if CRP is an independent predictor of QTc interval and QT prolongation in this patient group.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 466 hypertensive patients from a tertiary medical center.
- Performed standard 12-lead electrocardiogram examinations to measure QTc interval.
- Measured high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels using specialized kits.
Main Results:
- CRP levels showed a significant correlation with both QTc interval (p < 0.001) and the presence of QT prolongation (p = 0.014).
- Multivariate analysis identified CRP level as an independent predictor of QTc interval and QT prolongation.
- Factors including age, sex, height, LDL, and QRS interval were also associated with QTc interval, while age, waist circumference, triglycerides, and QRS interval independently predicted QT prolongation.
Conclusions:
- C-reactive protein is an independent predictor of both QTc interval and QT prolongation in hypertensive patients.
- CRP may be a valuable biomarker for cardiovascular risk stratification in individuals with hypertension.
Abstract:
C-reactive protein (CRP) and corrected QT (QTc) interval are predictors of cardiovascular disease. Whether CRP is associated with QTc interval and QT prolongation is unknown in hypertensive patients. We recruited hypertensive patients from a cardiovascular clinic in a tertiary medical center in Taiwan. All received standard 12-lead electrocardiogram examination. QT prolongation was defined as QTc interval ≥ 440 ms in men or ≥ 450 ms in women. High-sensitive CRP kits were used for the measurement of the CRP levels. A total of 466 consecutive patients were finally enrolled. Mean age was 60.6 ± 12.0 years. CRP level was correlated with QTc interval (p < 0.001) and presence of QT prolongation (p = 0.014). Multivariate regression analysis showed that CRP level (p = 0.001), age (p = 0.004), sex (p < 0.001), height (p = 0.001), low-density lipoprotein (p = 0.041), and QRS interval (p < 0.001) were associated with QTc interval. Furthermore, CRP level [odds ratio (OR) = 1.203, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.027-1.410, p = 0.022], age (OR = 1.040, 95% CI = 1.010-1.071, p = 0.009), waist (OR = 1.033, 95% CI = 1.000-1.066, p = 0.047), triglyceride (OR = 0.993, 95% CI = 0.987-0.999, p = 0.021) and QRS interval (OR = 1.046, 95% CI = 1.028-1.065, p < 0.001) independently predicted the presence of QT prolongation. Because CRP is an independent predictor of QTc interval and presence of QT prolongation, it could be considered in the risk assessment for hypertensive patients.
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