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Article Review/Hyperlink
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Perkiomaki JS, Ikaheimo MJ, Pikkujamsa SM, Rantala A, Lilja
M, Kesaniemi A, Huikuri HV
Dispersion of the QT interval and autonomic modulation of heart
rate in hypertensive men with and without left ventricular
hypertrophy
Hypertension
(Jul) 28:16-21 1996

Patients with LHV are at increased risk for sudden death, and both LVH and
sudden death are common
in hemodialysis patients. However, the reason why LVH and cardiac
arrhythmias are associated is
unknown.
In this study (in non-dialysis patients), the risk of arrhythmia was assessed
by measuring the
variability of the QT interval. This QT interval "dispersion" reflecs local
differences in
myocardial recovery time, and is increased in patiens who are susceptible to
ventricular
tachyarrhythmnias. 162 men with hypertension were divided into two groups
based on LV mass indices
(greater or less than 131 g/m2). Those with LVH had higher QTa dispersion,
suggesting an increased
susceptibility to arrhythmias. The degree of heart rate variability was
similar in those with and
those without LVH, although HRV was lower than that in non-hypertensive
patients..
Comment: The study suggests a mechanism whereby patients with LVH may
be liable to
arrhythmia, and also suggests that measuring QTa interval dispersion might be
a useful prognostic
indicator for ventricular arrhythmia or sudden death. This study still needs
to be done, however,
(John T. Daugirdas, M.D., University of Illinois at Chicago)
The full text of
this abstract is available from the AHA at: this site
.
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