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 i n patients with liver cirrhosis and the modifications of the Q-T inter val after liver transplantation. Q-T interval corrected for heart rate (QT(c)) 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 transpl antation. Forty-five patients (60%) had a prolonged Q-T,. Compared wit h controls, both patients with alcoholic and non alcoholic cirrhosis h ad increased Q-T-c (414 +/- 28 msec(1/2), 463 +/- 31 and 444 +/- 32 re spectively; p < 0.001 and < 0.001); Q-T, was significantly higher in a lcoholic than in non-alcoholic cirrhosis (p < 0.02). Q-T dispersion wa s normal in cirrhotics. No correlation was found between Q-T, interval and severity of the cirrhosis, haemodynamic variables (stroke volume, cardiac output) and s-calcium and potassium concentrations. After tra nsplantation, Q-T, decreased significantly (415 +/- 26 msec(1/2) vs 44 9 +/- 31; p < 0.0001) returning to the values of the normal subjects, but no modification of the Q-T dispersion was observed. These data sho w that 1) prolongation of Q-T interval is frequent in cirrhosis, being higher in alcoholic than in non-alcoholic cirrhosis, 2) is not relate d to the severity of the disease, and 3) is reversible after transplan tation.