Comparison of Heart Rate and QTc Interval in Patients of Cirrhosis of Liver with Non Cirrhotic Controls

Abstract

Objective:To determine the heart rate and QTc interval in cirrhotic patients by taking non cirrhotic as control.

Methodology:The present cross-sectional study was conducted at the department of general Medicine in Civil Hospital Karachi from May 2015 to October 2015. All the cirrhotic patients were taken age study group and an equal number of non-cirrhotic patients other reasons without any cardiac disease was taken as control Group. All patients underwent the testing ECG. Values for HR and QTc were computed from lead II. Data was entered in the self-made proforma.

Results:A total of 174 subjects were enrolled in this study; 87 cirrhotic patients 87 non-cirrhotic patients. Average heart rate was statistically higher in cirrhosis patients (i.e. 83.45 beats /min) than non-cirrhotic patients (i.e 74.23 beats/min), p-value 0.0005. Average QTc value was significantly high in study group (0.434) than control group (0.407), p-value 0.003.

Conclusion:Heart rate and QTc were frequently prolonged in cirrhotic patients as compared to non-cirrhotic controls.

Key Words:Cirrhosis, Heart rate, prolonged QTc interval.