Tp‐e and (Tp‐e)/QT ratio as a non‐invasive risk factors for malignant ventricular arrhythmia in patients with idiopathic ventricular premature complexes

BackgroundTo evaluate the role of Tp‐e and (Tp‐e)/QT ratio in differentiating benign ventricular premature complex (VPC) and malignant polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PVT).MethodsFrom January 2017 to December 2017, patients with documented polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PVT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF) were consecutive included and classified as PVT/VF group. Sixty age‐ and sex‐matched healthy individuals were recruited as comparative control and subdivided into non‐VPC and VPC group. Clinical characteristics and Tp‐e and Tp‐e/QT ratio between the three groups were compared.ResultsTp‐e and (Tp‐e)/QT ratio were significantly higher in patients of PVT/VF group compared with the other two groups (P < .001). Episodes of syncope were more frequent in patients with PVT/VF (P < .05). The sensitivity and specificity of a Tp‐e interval ≥86 ms for malignant arrhythmias triggered by VPCs were 88% and 66%, respectively, while the sensitivity and specificity of the Tp‐e/QT ratio ≥0.24 were 82% and 70%, respectively. Five patients complained recurrence of syncope in the PVT/VF group and 1 patient died with mean follow‐up of 18 months.ConclusionTp‐e interval and the Tp‐Te/QT ratio is significantly increased in patients with PVT/VF and may be used as a novel non‐invasive marker of differentiating malignant and benign VPC.