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QT Dispersion and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Elderly Hypertensive and Normotensive Patients

Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece, stdimop{at}med.uoa.gr

Franco Nicosia, MD

Department of Internal Medicine, Spedali Civili di Brescia, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy

Paolo Donati, MD

Department of Internal Medicine, Spedali Civili di Brescia, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy

Paola Prometti, MD

Department of Internal Medicine, Spedali Civili di Brescia, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy

Massimiliano De Vecchi, MD

Department of Internal Medicine, Spedali Civili di Brescia, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy

Roberto Zulli, MD

Department of Internal Medicine, Spedali Civili di Brescia, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy

Vittorio Grassi, MD

Department of Internal Medicine, Spedali Civili di Brescia, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy

Inhomogeneity of ventricular repolarization as detected by QT dispersion may be a potential leading mechanism of sudden death in hypertensive and normotensive (age related) left ventricular hypertrophy. Aim of this study was to investigate QT dispersion, ventricular arrhythmias, and left ventricular mass index in elderly hypertensive and normotensive patients. Study population consisted of 60 consecutive patients (sex: 34 men/26 women; age: 63 ± 11 years) with essential arterial hypertension and 48 age and sex-matched control subjects (24 men/24 women; 64 ± 16 years). Measurements included QTc dispersion, ventricular arrhythmias, and left ventricular hypertrophy. Hypertensive patients had greater left ventricular mass index (P = .006) and higher QTc dispersion (P = .004) than controls. Left ventricular hypertrophy was diagnosed in 57 (31 men/26 women) of all subjects. These patients had higher blood pressure (P < .05), Lown's score (P < .001), and QTc dispersion (P < .001). QTc dispersion and Lown's score were independent predictors of left ventricular mass index (P < .001). Conclusively, QTc dispersion is a strong indicator of left ventricular mass index and might be used in risk stratification of hypertensive and normotensive elderly patients.

Key Words: left ventricular hypertrophy • ventricular arrhythmias • QT dispersion • arterial hypertension • elderly

This version was published on October 1, 2008

Angiology, Vol. 59, No. 5, 605-612 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0003319707310276


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