Horm Metab Res 2006; 38(1): 44-47
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-924977
Original Clinical
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Prolonged Ventricular Repolarization Measured by Corrected QT Interval (QTc) in Subclinical Hyperthyroidism

M.  Owecki1 , A.  Michalak1 , E.  Nikisch2 , J.  Sowiński1
  • 1Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Internal Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
  • 2Department of Informatics and Statistics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
Further Information

Publication History

Received 19 May 2005

Accepted after revision 22 September 2005

Publication Date:
13 February 2006 (online)

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Abstract

Overt hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism exert a major effect on cardiac function and on ECG. The influence of subclinical hyperthyroidism on the circulatory system is still under debate. Few studies examined the effect of thyroid hormones on ventricular repolarization measured by corrected QT interval (QTc). Longer QTc is associated with increased risk of arrhythmia and cardiac mortality. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of subclinical hyperthyroidism on ventricular repolarization measured by corrected QTc in a standard 12-lead electrocardiogram. The examined group consisted of thirty-two patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism; the controls were thirty-nine healthy individuals. In the group with subclinical hyperthyroidism, we observed a significant increase in heart rate (80.3 ± 10.59 vs. 73.7 ± 11.37 bpm, p < 0.05). The mean corrected QTc was 0.434 ± 0.0207 seconds and 0.414 ± 0.0208 in the examined groups and in controls, respectively (p < 0.001). QTc did not correlate with free thyroxin concentrations (p = 0.5084). Conclusion: Corrected QT intervals were significantly longer in patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism.