Electrocardiographic Changes During and After Alcohol Withdrawal
Filiz İzci1, Başak Ünübol2, Servet İzci3
1Department of Psychiatry, Erenköy Mental and Nervous Diseases Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.
Psychiatry and Clinical Psychopharmacology
|May 20, 2024
Summary
Alcohol withdrawal increases the risk of ventricular arrhythmias. Electrocardiographic changes, particularly corrected QT interval, are significantly prolonged during withdrawal, highlighting the need for cardiac monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Clinical Electrophysiology
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is associated with significant cardiovascular risks.
- Ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death are potential complications.
- Electrocardiographic indicators of ventricular repolarization require examination during alcohol withdrawal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the risk of ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death.
- To analyze electrocardiographic changes and ventricular repolarization indicators during and after alcohol withdrawal.
- To assess the correlation between alcohol withdrawal severity and cardiac electrical activity.
Main Methods:
- Included 100 participants with alcohol withdrawal (Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment of Alcohol Scale, Revised score >7).
- Collected 12-lead electrocardiographic data during and after withdrawal symptoms subsided.
- Measured QT interval, corrected QT interval, and T-wave/QT ratios, with a Framingham heart risk score <10%.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in heart rate, QT interval, corrected QT interval, and T-wave/QT ratio were observed during vs. after withdrawal (P < .05).
- Mean corrected QT interval was significantly higher during withdrawal (433.63 ± 17.79 ms) compared to after (420.67 ± 13.78 ms).
- Mean T-wave/QT ratio was significantly higher during withdrawal (0.222 ± 0.00) than after (0.214 ± 0.00) (P < .001).
Conclusions:
- Alcohol withdrawal is associated with an accelerated risk of ventricular arrhythmias.
- Prolonged ventricular repolarization during withdrawal suggests increased arrhythmia susceptibility.
- Close electrocardiographic monitoring and prompt treatment are crucial for preventing arrhythmias in alcohol withdrawal patients.
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