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QT interval dispersion in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome patients without hypertension

D. Dursunoglu¹, N. Dursunolu², H. Evrengül¹, S. Özkurt², M. Klç¹, F. Fisekci², Ö. Kuru¹ and Ö. Delen²

Depts of ¹ Cardiology, and ² Chest Disease, Pamukkale University Medical Faculty, Denizli, Turkey

CORRESPONDENCE: D. Dursunoglu, Yunus Emre Mah. 6402 sk. No: 12, Knkl – Denizli, Turkey. Fax: 90 2582134922. E-mail: ddursunoglu@tnn.net/ddursunoglu@pamukkale.edu.tr

Keywords: Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome, QT interval dispersion

Received: June 7, 2004
Accepted December 23, 2004

QT interval dispersion (QT_d) reflects inhomogeneity of repolarisation. Delayed cardiac repolarisation leading to the prolongation of the QT interval is a well-characterised precursor of arrhythmias. Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) can cause cardiovascular complications, such as arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, and systemic and pulmonary hypertension. The aim of this study was to assess QT_d in OSAS patients without hypertension.

A total of 49 subjects without hypertension, diabetes mellitus, any cardiac or pulmonary diseases, or any hormonal, hepatic, renal or electrolyte disorders were referred for evaluation of OSAS. An overnight polysomnography and a standard 12-lead ECG were performed in each subject. According to the apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI), subjects were divided into control subjects (AHI <5, n = 20) and moderate–severe OSAS patients (AHI 15, n = 29). QT_d (defined as the difference between the maximum and minimum QT interval) and QT-corrected interval dispersion (QT_cd) were calculated using Bazzet's formula.

In conclusion, the QT_cd was significantly higher in OSAS patients (56.1±9.3 ms) than in controls (36.3±4.5 ms). A strong positive correlation was shown between QT_cd and AHI. In addition, a significantly positive correlation was shown between QT_cd and the desaturation index (DI). The AHI and DI were significantly related to QT_cd as an independent variable using stepwise regression analysis.

The QT-corrected interval dispersion is increased in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome patients without hypertension, and it may reflect obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome severity.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				N. Dursunoglu, D. Dursunoglu, S. Ozkurt, H. Tanriverdi, H. Evrengul, and G. Kiter Severe Sleep Apnea Syndrome Diagnosed With Acute Myocardial Infarction Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann, February 1, 2007; 15(1): e3 - e6. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]