Connecticut medicine
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Connecticut medicine · Aug 2007
Prolonged QTc intervals on admission electrocardiograms: prevalence and correspondence with admission electrolyte abnormalities.
Prolonged QTc (corrected QT) interval and torsades de pointes (TDP) are associated with hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia, possibly alkalosis and may result in syncope and sudden cardiac death. ⋯ Using conventional criteria, electronically measured prolonged QTc intervals were quite common at the time of admission among general medicine service patients, hospitalized for non-cardiac complaints. Admission electrolyte values were not associated with QTc intervals. We conclude that the association of metabolic derangements and QTc abnormalities may not be as strong as is widely believed.