Evaluation of Tp-e / QTc ratio in determining the risk of arrhythmia in electric shocks in children

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Patients who have electrical accidents can apply to hospital with clinical signs ranging from simple skin burns to serious organ injuries. Our aim in this study is to evaluate whether QT, QTc interval and QT/QTc, Tp-e/QT, Tp-e/QTc ratios can be a marker for determine the risk of arrhythmias in children in cases of electric shock injuries that can be fatal.
 
 MATERIAL & METHOD: In our study, 36 patients who were admitted to pediatric emergency with an electric shock between July 2018 and September 2019 and followed up in our clinic were included. As a control group, 25 healthy patients were included in the study. The files of the patients were examined retrospectively ECG (electrocardiogram) findings in leads DII and V5 were recorded. 
 RESULTS: Thirty-six (41%) patients who were admitted to our study due to electrical shock and followed up in our pediatric emergency were included. Sinus tachycardia was observed in two patients and no arrhythmias were detected in others. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups between QT, QTc interval and QT/QTc, Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios measured in DII and V5 leads on ECG (p> 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between ECG findings by gender(p> 0.05). 
 
 CONCLUSION: Electric shock can cause life-threatening situations by causing fatal arrhythmia. Although ECG findings are used to determine cardiac arrhythmia, it should be shown whether QT, QTc interval and Tp-e/QT, Tp-e/QTc ratios are significant arrhythmogenic markers by prospective studies in more specific age groups.