Q-T Interval Prolongation in Liver Cirrhosis. Reversibility after Orthotopic Liver Transplantation

The aim of this work was to study the prevalence of Q-T prolongation in patients with liver cirrhosis and the modifications of the Q-T interval after liver transplantation. Q-T interval corrected for heart rate (QTc) and dispersion of Q-T interval were evaluated in 75 cirrhotic patients and in 24 controls by means of a 12-lead electrocardiogram. In addition, 15 patients were evaluated before and after liver transplantation. Forty-five patients (60%) had a prolonged Q-Tc. Compared with controls, both patients with alcoholic and non alcoholic cirrhosis had increased Q-Tc (414±28 msec1/2, 463±31 and 444±32 respectively; p