HDCN Article Review/Hyperlink

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 .