Electrophysiological Response in Hypertensive Crisis: An Evaluation of the ICEB Score

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the pre- and post-treatment changes in ICEB and ICEBc score markers of cardiac electrical balance in patients presenting to the emergency department with hypertensive urgency and to investigate their relationship with short-term clinical outcomes. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 50 patients who presented to a tertiary university hospital emergency department between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2024 with a diagnosis of hypertensive urgency and had pre- and post-treatment 12-lead ECGs were analysed. ICEB (QT/QRS) and ICEBc (QTc/QRS) scores were calculated manually. Patients were categorized as discharged or hospitalized. Within-group and between-group comparisons of the scores were performed. Results: Of the patients, 66% were female, and the mean age was 60.4 ± 14.5 years. A statistically significant increase in ICEB scores was observed after treatment in discharged patients (p = 0.006), whereas ICEBc scores showed no significant change. In the hospitalized group, no significant difference was found in either ICEB or ICEBc scores. Additionally, between-group comparisons revealed no significant differences in ICEBc values. Conclusions: The ICEB score may serve as a dynamic marker reflecting the electrophysiological response to antihypertensive treatment. The observed increase in ICEB after treatment may indicate the restoration of electrical stability. In contrast, ICEBc appeared to have limited predictive value in this clinical context. Further prospective studies with larger populations are needed to determine the clinical utility of ICEB in the management of hypertensive crises.