Qt Interval Changes in Moderate and Severe Brain Injuries Publisher



Abrishamkar S¹ ; Abbasi Fard S¹ ; Momeni A² ; Irii AR¹ ; Rohanizadegan M³ Show Affiliations
Source: Neurosurgery Quarterly Published:2012

Abstract

Backgrounds: Traumatic brain injuries are common mortality causes in many countries. Electrocardiogram (ECG) changes after brain injuries are known, and among them alteration of QT interval is common. The aim of this study was to evaluate QT interval changes in patients suffering from moderate-to-severe brain injuries. Methods: In a descriptive analytical study with 2 retrospective and prospective components, we first evaluated 200 files of patients with moderate-to-severe brain damage who were admitted in Kashani and Alzahra hospitals from 2003 to 2005. Second, 39 patients with moderate-to-severe brain damage admitted at the same hospitals after 2005 were observed for 3 consecutive days by performing serial ECGs. Results: Retrospective study: From the total of 200 patients, 117 were male and 83 were female. There was no statistically significant relationship between sex and computed tomography scan lesions (P>0.05). The mean QT interval in patients who subsequently died was longer, which was statistically significant (P<0.05). A total of 119 patients had prolonged QT interval in the first ECG. Prospective study: From the total of 39 patients, 23 were male and 16 were female. Mean QT intervals in the first, second, and third days were 461, 459, and 453 ms, respectively. They decreased significantly in those undergoing another surgery by the second and third day after the first surgery (P<0.05). Conclusions: It is obvious from this study that in patients with brain injuries QT interval is prolonged and this prolongation has a significant relationship with the Glasgow Coma Scale score and mortality rate. Female patients were more likely to have a prolonged QT interval after brain injury. Copyright © 2012 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.