Objective: To investigate the relationship between the prolonged corrected QT interval (Q-Tc) and the severity and prognosis of patients with hepatic cirrhosis.
Methods: Electrocardiography was conducted on 126 patients with hepatic cirrhosis, 86 males and 40 females, aged (62 +/- 16), 38 of Child-Pugh grade A, 64 of grade B, and 24 of grade C, and 126 sex- and aged-matched healthy persons as controls. Peripheral blood samples were collected to undergo the examination of prothrombin time, and serum albumin, total bilirubin, potassium, calcium, ALT, AST, gamma glutamyl transferase, and alkaline phosphatase. The relationship between the Q-Tc and other parameters were analyzed. Twenty cirrhotic patients underwent liver transplantation.
Results: The Q-Tc value of the cirrhosis patients was (421 +/- 38) ms, significantly longer than that of the controls (386 +/- 25) ms. The Q-Tc prolongation rate of the cirrhosis patients was 46.93% (58/126), significantly higher than that of the controls (1.58%, 2/126, P < 0.01). The Q-Tc prolongation rates of the patients of Child-Pugh grade B and C were 56.89% and 59.60% respectively, both significantly higher than that of the patients of grade A (21.05%, both P < 0.01). Linear regression analysis showed that Q-Tc was positively correlated with the Child-Pugh score. Q-Tc was not significantly correlated with the biochemical indicators mentioned above. The prolonged Q-Tc became normal in 17 of the 20 patients undergoing liver transplantation and became shorter in 3 cases one year after the operation.
Conclusion: Q-Tc prolongation exits in hepatic cirrhosis and the Q-Tc prolongation rate increases along with the severity of disease. After liver transplantation the prolonged Q-Tc may recover to normal Q-Tc prolongation can be used to assess the severity and prognosis of hepatic cirrhosis.