Tp‐e Interval, Tp‐e/QTc Ratio, and Fragmented QRS Are Correlated with the Severity of Liver Cirrhosis

• Published in: Annals of noninvasive electrocardiology 2017-01, Vol.22 (1), p.np-n/a
• Main Authors: Akboga, Mehmet Kadri, Yuksel, Mahmut, Balci, Kevser Gulcihan, Kaplan, Mustafa, Cay, Serkan, Gokbulut, Volkan, Yayla, Cagri, Ertem, Ahmet Goktug, Ayhan, Meral Akdogan, Topaloglu, Serkan, Aras, Dursun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: arrhythmias; Arrhythmias, Cardiac - physiopathology; Cardiac arrhythmia; Cross-Sectional Studies; Electrocardiography; Female; fragmented QRS; Humans; Liver cirrhosis; Liver Cirrhosis - physiopathology; Male; Middle Aged; Original; Prognosis; Severity of Illness Index; Tp‐e interval; Tp‐e/QTc ratio
• ISSN: 1082-720X; 1542-474X; 1542-474X
• DOI: 10.1111/anec.12359

Background Arrhythmias and electrocardiographic changes are reported in several noncardiac diseases, including liver cirrhosis (LC). We intended to evaluate the interval from the peak to the end of the electrocardiographic T wave (Tp‐e), Tp‐e/QTc ratio, and fQRS as presumed markers of arrhythmias in LC. Methods In this cross‐sectional study, a total of 88 consecutive patients with LC according to clinical, biological, ultrasonographic, or histological criteria and 73 control subjects were enrolled. The severity of cirrhosis was classified according to Pugh‐Child's classification and Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score. Tp‐e interval, Tp‐e/QTc ratio, and fQRS rates were measured from the 12‐lead electrocardiogram. Results Tp‐e interval, Tp‐e/QTc ratio and fQRS rates were significantly increased in parallel to the severity of LC (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P = 0.003, respectively). In correlation analysis, Pugh‐Child stage showed a significantly positive correlation with Tp‐e interval (r = 0.462, P < 0.001), QTc interval (r = 0.373, P < 0.001), Tp‐e/QTc ratio (r = 0.352, P < 0.001), and fQRS (r = 0.407, P < 0.001). Furthermore, Tp‐e interval (r = 0.414, P < 0.001) and Tp‐e/QTc ratio (r = 0.426, P< 0.001) had significant positive correlation with MELD score. Conclusions Our study demonstrated that Tp‐e interval, Tp‐e/QTc ratios, and fQRS rates were significantly increased in parallel to the severity of LC. Thus, these findings may implicate that Tp‐e interval, Tp‐e/QTc ratio, and fQRS may be novel and useful indicators for prediction of arrhythmias in LC.