Research Article: Prevalence of Medication Associated with QTc Prolongation Used Among Critically Ill Patients
Abstract:
The prolonged QTc interval is a pathological cardiac condition detectable via electrocardiogram (ECG), characterized by an extended ventricular repolarization phase. This anomaly is associated with the potential development of a specific and life-threatening ventricular cardiac arrhythmia called Torsade’s de Pointes, which can result in critical scenarios, including sudden cardiac arrest. A prior comparative investigation conducted in the USA reported a substantial prevalence of QTc prolongation among acutely ill patients, with approximately % of these patients exhibiting this abnormality. Additionally, this study revealed that Torsade de Pointes accounted for % of in-hospital cardiac arrests. QTc prolongation and the subsequent development of Torsade de Points can arise from congenital or acquired conditions. The predominant contributory factor to acquired Torsade remains the administration of medications with diverse pharmacological effects that are known to prolong the QTc interval. Such medications include antiarrhythmic agents, antiemetics, antibiotics, and neuroleptic drugs. Other risk factors do encompass aging, female gender, thyroid gland disorders (hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism), diabetes, electrolyte disturbances (hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia), and presence of cardiovascular conditions.–
Introduction:
The prolonged QTc interval is a pathological cardiac condition detectable via electrocardiogram (ECG), characterized by an extended ventricular repolarization phase. This anomaly is associated with the potential development of a specific and life-threatening ventricular cardiac arrhythmia called Torsade’s de Pointes, which can result in critical scenarios, including sudden cardiac arrest. A prior comparative investigation conducted in the USA reported a substantial prevalence of QTc prolongation among acutely ill…
Read more