The association between body temperature and electrocardiographic parameters in normothermic healthy volunteers

Previous studies reported that hypo- and hyperthermia are associated with several atrial and ventricular electrocardiographical parameters, including corrected QT (QTc) interval. Enhanced characterization of variations in QTc interval and normothermic body temperature aids in better understanding the underlying mechanism behind drug induced QTc interval effects. The analysis' objective was to investigate associations between body temperature and electrocardiographical parameters in normothermic healthy volunteers.

Data from 3023 volunteers collected at our center were retrospectively analyzed. Subjects were considered healthy after review of collected data by a physician, including a normal tympanic body temperature (35.5-37.5°C) and in sinus rhythm. A linear multivariate model with body temperature as a continuous was performed. Another multivariate analysis was performed with only the QT subintervals as independent variables and body temperature as dependent variable.

Mean age was 33.8 ± 17.5 years and mean body temperature was 36.6 ± 0.4°C. Body temperature was independently associated with age (standardized coefficient [SC] = -0.255, P < .001), female gender (SC = +0.209, P < .001), heart rate (SC = +0.231, P < .001), P-wave axis (SC = -0.051, P < .001), J-point elevation in lead V4 (SC = -0.121, P < .001), and QTcF duration (SC = -0.061, P = .002). In contrast, other atrial and atrioventricular (AV) nodal parameters were not independently associated with body temperature. QT subinterval analysis revealed that only QRS duration (SC = -0.121, P < .001) was independently associated with body temperature.

Body temperature in normothermic healthy volunteers was associated with heart rate, P-wave axis, J-point amplitude in lead V4, and ventricular conductivity, the latter primarily through prolongation of the QRS duration.