Effects of aging and gender on QT dispersion in an overtly healthy population |
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Authors: | Kassotis J Costeas C Bedi A K Tolat A Reiffel J |
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Affiliation: | New York Methodist Hospital, Division of Cardiology, Brooklyn 11215, USA. JTKeps@aol.com |
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Abstract: | The objective of this study was to measure the normal variation of QT dispersion (QTd) with respect to age and gender. The QT interval is a measure of the duration of ventricular depolarization and repolarization, while the QTd is a measure of the variability of the ventricular recovery time. The QTd has been suggested as a means of identifying those patients at risk for sustained ventricular tachyarrythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD). A total of 250 patients (120 women, 130 men; age range 20-86 years) were recruited for this study. The QT intervals were measured in each of the 12 standard leads of the electrocardiogram. Data are presented as mean (mu) +/- SD. The QTd did not vary significantly within the same gender. A significant difference (P < 0.001) was noted in QTd between men (age [mu] = 53.3 +/- 15.6 years, QTd = 0.044 +/- 0.019 s) and women (age [mu] = 52.1 +/- 15.1 years, QTd = 0.034 +/- 0.015 s). Overall, men had a greater QTd, while women had a longer QT. In conclusion, we found that men had a longer QTd, which may explain the increased risk of SCD. However, women have a longer QT interval with a smaller QTd. A longer QTmin, as opposed to a longer QTmax, is responsible for the shorter QTd in women. This longer QTmin in women may predispose to an increased risk of drug induced torsades de pointes. |
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Keywords: | QT dispersion QT interval torsades de pointes |
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