2004 Volume 43 Issue 5 Pages 379-387
Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the relation of QT dispersion to left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function in patients undergoing anthracycline therapy.
Methods We used echocardiography to evaluate LV systolic and diastolic function and electrocardiography to evaluate QT dispersion and corrected QT dispersion (QTcD) in patients with hematological diseases, who received anthracycline therapy.
Patients Seventy-two patients with hematological diseases who were receiving anthracycline treatment were enrolled in the present study.
Results LV end-diastolic diameter or LV end-systolic diameter had a significant positive correlation to QTcD (r=0.35, p<0.01, r=0.43, p<0.01). Also left ventricular ejection fraction of (LVEF) or fractional shortening had a significant negative correlation to QTcD (r=−0.46, p<0.001, r=−0.27, p=0.02). The highest QTcD group had a significantly larger LV end-diastolic diameter or LV end-systolic diameter than the lowest QTcD [48.5±5.7 vs. 44.4±4.5 (mm), p<0.001, 34.1±6.4 vs. 28.8±4.3 (mm), p<0.001] and the highest QTcD group had a significantly lower LVEF than the lowest QTcD [57.5±8.0 vs. 65.5±6.4 (%), p<0.001]. On the other hand, none of the diastolic function markers were significantly correlated with QTcD.
Conclusion We concluded that increased QTcD is correlated with LV dilation and systolic dysfunction induced by anthracycline therapy, and does not reflect a dispersion of ventricular repolarization or asynchronous motion.
