Prolonged QTc interval and risk of sudden cardiac death in a population of older adults

摘要: OBJECTIVES This study sought to investigate whether prolongation of the heart rate-corrected QT (QTc) interval is a risk factor for sudden cardiac death in general population. BACKGROUND In developed countries, major cause cardiovascular mortality. Prolongation QTc has been associated with ventricular arrhythmias, but most population-based studies no consistent association was found between and total or Only very few these specifically addressed death. METHODS conducted as part Rotterdam Study, prospective cohort that comprises 3,105 men 4,878 women aged 55 years older. The on electrocardiogram determined during baseline visit (1990 1993) first follow-up examination (1993 1995). prolonged estimated using Cox proportional hazards analysis. RESULTS During an average period 6.7 (standard deviation, 2.3 years) 125 patients died An abnormally (>450 ms men, >470 women) three-fold increased (hazard ratio, 2.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.3 4.7), after adjustment age, gender, body mass index, hypertension, cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein diabetes mellitus, myocardial infarction, failure, rate. age below median 68 years, corresponding relative 8.0 (95% 2.1 31.3). CONCLUSIONS Abnormal should be viewed independent