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Prevalence of QT interval prolongation in inflammatory bowel disease
Deepak J Pattanshetty1, Rama Dilip Gajulapalli, Kiran Anna
1Department of Heart and Vascular Center, MetroHealth Campus of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA. deepakPJ@yahoo.com.
Insights
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) face a higher risk of QT interval prolongation, a condition linked to dangerous heart rhythms. This study highlights the need for cardiac risk assessment in IBD patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Gastroenterology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with increased cardiac risks.
- Factors like chronic inflammation, electrolyte imbalances, and medications (e.g., Infliximab) contribute to QT interval prolongation in IBD.
- QT interval prolongation is a known risk factor for malignant ventricular arrhythmias.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of abnormal QT interval prolongation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
- To identify potential risk factors for QT interval prolongation within the IBD population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 142 IBD patients from a hospital database.
- Analysis of demographic characteristics and laboratory data.
- Measurement of QT intervals and calculation of corrected QT (QTc) intervals using Bazett's formula from electrocardiograms.
Main Results:
- Nearly half of IBD patients exhibited prolonged QTc intervals: 42.3% of males and 48.9% of females.
- Patients with prolonged QTc intervals had a significantly higher body mass index (29.7±6.9) compared to those with normal QTc intervals (26.2±5.9).
Conclusions:
- The study confirms a higher prevalence of QTc interval prolongation in patients with IBD.
- Elevated body mass index may be associated with QTc prolongation in this population, warranting further investigation.
Background/Aims:
There is growing evidence linking various cardiac complications with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Electrolyte abnormalities, chronic inflammation, and medication use (such as Infliximab) that are associated with IBD are all independent risk factors for QT interval prolongation. Given that malignant ventricular arrhythmias are associated with QT interval prolongation, it is important to risk stratify this subset of patients. Our objective was to evaluate the prevalence of abnormal QT interval prolongation (defined by a QT interval of >450 ms in men and >460 ms in women) in an IBD population.
Materials And Methods:
A retrospective chart review of patients with IBD from the Metro Hospital database was performed. Patients' demographic characteristics and laboratory data were abstracted. "RR" and "QT" intervals were measured from the last available electrocardiogram, and corrected QT (QTc) interval was calculated from lead II using Bazett's formula.
Results:
Of 142 eligible patients, 42.3% (n=22/52) of males and 48.9% (n=44/90) of females had a prolonged QTc interval. Patients with IBD having a prolonged QTc interval had a higher body mass index than those with a normal QTc interval (29.7±6.9 vs. 26.2±5.9, p=0.005).
Conclusion:
Our study demonstrates that patients with IBD are at a higher risk of developing QTc interval prolongation.
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