QTC Dispersion and P-Wave Dispersion during Migraine Attacks

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate increase of QTc dispersion and P-wave dispersion during migraine attacks. Fifty-five patients (16-65 years of age, 49 women, six men) with migraine were included in our study. Heart rate, QTc interval, maximum and minimum QTc interval, QTc dispersion, maximum and minimum P-wave duration and P-wave dispersion were measured from 12-lead ECG recording during migraine attacks and pain-free periods. ECGs were transferred to a personal computer via a scanner and then used for magnification of x400 by Adobe Photoshop software. Maximum QTc interval (454 +/- 24 ms vs. 429 +/- 23 ms, P < 0.001), QTc interval (443 +/- 26 ms vs. 408 +/- 22 ms, P < 0.001) and QTc dispersion (63 +/- 18 ms vs. 43 +/- 14 ms, P < 0.001) were found significantly higher during migraine attacks compared with pain-free periods. Maximum P-wave duration (107 +/- 11 ms vs. 100 +/- 11 ms, P < 0.001) and P-wave dispersion (45 +/- 13 ms vs. 35 +/- 13 ms, P < 0.001) were found higher during migraine attacks than pain-free periods. We concluded that migraine attacks are associated with increased QTc and P-wave dispersion compared with pain-free periods.