Postoperative QT interval prolongation in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery under general anesthesia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Abnormal cardiac repolarization, indicated by a prolongation of the QT interval, increases the risk for torsades de pointes, a potentially life-threatening arrhythmia. Many perioperatively administered drugs and conditions prolong the QT interval. Despite several reports of perioperative torsades de pointes, systematic evidence regarding perioperative QT interval prolongation is limited.

Methods

Serial postoperative 12-lead electrocardiograms were obtained from 469 adult patients undergoing major noncardiac surgery under general anesthesia. Heart rate corrected QT-interval duration (Fridericia formula) was the primary outcome. All perioperatively administered drugs were recorded. Emphasis was placed on absolute QTc prolongation greater than 500 ms and relative inc

SUBMITTER: Nagele P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3406265 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature