Changes of QT Dispersion in Patients Suffering from Aluminium Phosphide Poisoning (Rice Pill)

Aluminium phosphide (ALP) or rice pill is a substance used in developing countries due to its low cost as pesticides. The availability of this substance has been lead to an increased rate of the use of this toxic inorganic compound for suicide. Complications are considered to be dose-related toxicity and hospitalisation time, varying from hemodynamic disorder, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, shock, cardiotoxicity, pulmonary and renal failures. The consumption of this substance is one of the major causes of mortality due to heart arrhythmia. QT dispersion represents a regional difference in ventricular repolarisation and electrical instability of the heart.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of ALP poisoning on QT dispersion.

In this study, 70 patients with ALP poisoning were enrolled, and 10 patients were excluded due to the exclusion criteria. QT dispersion rate was calculated in 60 patients using the standard electrocardiography at the time of referral. The above data were compared with the control group, which included 40 subjects with normal coronary angiography, and without cardiovascular risk factors.

The findings presented herein indicated a significant correlation between QT dispersion and control group (P < 0.0.5). There was a significant relationship between the severity of acidosis and the patient's tablets -taking a number (P < 0.05). However, there was no relationship between QT dispersion with the severity of acidosis and mortality in patients.

Because there is no CAD risk factor in the population, it can be concluded that increase in QT dispersion in these individuals can be due to ALP poisoning; nevertheless, this is not considered to be a factor in increasing the morbidity of these patients.