QT interval prolongation in opioid agonist treatment: analysis of continuous 12-lead electrocardiogram recordings.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

Methadone is a widely used opioid agonist treatment associated with QT prolongation and torsades de pointes. We investigated the QT interval in patients treated with methadone or buprenorphine using continuous 12-lead Holter recordings.

Methods

We prospectively made 24-h Holter recordings in patients prescribed methadone or buprenorphine, compared to controls. After their normal dose a continuous 12-lead Holter recorder was attached for 24 h. Digital electrocardiograms were extracted hourly from the Holter recordings. The QT interval was measured automatically (H-scribe software, Mortara Pty Ltd) and checked manually. The QT interval was plotted against heart rate (HR) on the QT nomogram to determine abnormality. Demographics, dosing, medical history and laboratory inve

SUBMITTER: Isbister GK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5595951 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature