The New Markers of Ventricular Dispersion in Patients with Acute Poisoning with TCAs: Tp-e Interval and Tp-e/QTc Ratio

Introduction: Purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in Tp-e/QTc rates and Tp-e intervals in patients poisoned with tricyclic antidepressants. Methods: 187 patients who were poisoned with tricyclic antidepressants and admitted to our emergency department were included in this study. Control group consisted of 187 healthy individuals with similar age and gender characteristics. All patients underwent 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECG). In addition to QTc measurement, Tp-e/QTc ratios and Tp-e interval were measured in the ECG. Study data were divided two groups as patients and healthy controls. Results: It was found that the QTc interval, Tp-e interval, and Tpe/QTc ratio were significantly higher in the patient group compared to control group. The analysis demonstrated that QTc interval; Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QTc ratio were independently associated with heart rate. Conclusion: In poisoning with TCAs, the rate of QTc interval, Tp-e/QTc and Tp-e interval has increased and is independently associated with the heart rate in these patients. This may be the precursor of possible fatal ventricular arrhythmias in tricyclic antidepressants.