Increased QTc dispersion and mortality in uremic patients with acute myocardial infarction

QT dispersion (the difference between maximum and minimum QT across the 12-lead electrocardiogram [ECG]), which reflects regional variations in ventricular repolarization, is a predictor of arrhythmia and cardiovascular mortality. The present study was undertaken to assess the difference in QT dispersion between uremic and nonuremic patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and its relationship to post-AMI clinical outcome. Twelve-lead ECG recordings were obtained the first and third days after the onset of AMI in 21 uremic and 21 nonuremic patients. QT intervals were measured on 12-lead ECGs and corrected by heart rate (QTc). Our findings show that uremic patients with AMI had greater QTc dispersion (84 +/- 35 versus 55 +/- 15 milliseconds; P < 0.001), a greater 1-year mortality rate (48% versus 18%; P = 0.003), and underwent fewer reperfusion therapies (5 of 21 versus 17 of 21 patients; P = 0.002) compared with nonuremic patients with AMI. Patients with AMI who died had greater QTc dispersion than those who survived (102 +/- 40 versus 67 +/- 40 milliseconds; P = 0.015). An optimal QTc dispersion cutoff value of 60 milliseconds had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 55% in predicting 1-year mortality in uremic patients with AMI. Uremic patients with AMI administered thrombolytic therapies (n = 5) had reduced 1-year mortality rates (0% versus 63%; P = 0.003) and shortened QTc dispersion from days 1 to 3 (changes in QTc dispersion between days 1 and 3, 29% +/- 9% decrease versus 13% +/- 5% increase; P = 0.001) compared with those without therapies (n = 16). Our findings suggest that greater QT dispersion is associated with greater total mortality, and thrombolytic therapies could reduce QTc dispersion and mortality in uremic patients with AMI. It is prudent to refine our current management regimen for uremic patients with AMI to improve the poor clinical outcome. (C) 2002 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.