Abstract
Introduction and ObjectivesThe QT interval on the electrocardiogram has been shown to be longer in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) compared to that of the general population. The clinical significance of this finding is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between QT interval and subclinical atherosclerosis, measured by carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity.Material and Methods93 patients with SLE and 109 healthy women with similar basal characteristics were studied. All patients underwent a 12- lead electrocardiogram, and corrected QT interval (QTc) was measured using the Bazett’s formula. The presence of atherosclerosis was evaluated by carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity.ResultsClinical basal characteristics were similar in both groups. QTc interval was 415±21.4 milliseconds in all patients, and 407±19.1 milliseconds in the control group (p = 0.007). There was a positive correlation between QTc interval and carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity (r = 0.235; p = 0.02) in patients with SLE. This association was independent of hypertension and age in a multivariate analysis.ConclusionQTc interval measured by electrocardiogram is prolonged in SLE patients; it is related to subclinical atherosclerosis, measured by carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity. This measure may help stratify risk in routine clinical practice and select the patients that might benefit from a more aggressive therapy in the prevention of cardiovascular events.
Highlights
Introduction and ObjectivesThe QT interval on the electrocardiogram has been shown to be longer in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) compared to that of the general population
QTc interval measured by electrocardiogram is prolonged in SLE patients; it is related to subclinical atherosclerosis, measured by carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity
The prevalence of atherosclerosis is higher in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) than in the general population, becoming today a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in these patients [1, 2]
Summary
Introduction and ObjectivesThe QT interval on the electrocardiogram has been shown to be longer in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) compared to that of the general population. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between QT interval and subclinical atherosclerosis, measured by carotid-femoral pulsewave velocity. The prevalence of atherosclerosis is higher in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) than in the general population, becoming today a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in these patients [1, 2]. A prolonged QT interval on the electrocardiogram (ECG) is an measurable, reproducible parameter that has been linked with early-onset atherosclerosis in the general population and some subpopulations with high cardiovascular risk [3,4,5,6]. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a fairly precise indirect measure of subclinical atherosclerosis, and several studies have reported a strong correlation with coronary angiography and cardiovascular mortality during patients’ follow-up [8, 9]. The relationship between prolonged QT interval and clinical or subclinical atherosclerosis in SLE patients has not been demonstrated
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