The prognostic value of T-peak T-end among patients with implantable cardiac defibrillator for secondary prevention

Abstract

Aim: Cardiac death due to ventricular arrhyhtmias can occur in patients with ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator) for secondary
prevention. The aim of this study is to assess the prognostic value of electrocardiographic ventricular repolarization parameters in
patients with secondary prevention.
Materials and Methods: Sixty five patients with ICD for secondary prevention after sustained ventricular tachycardia, ventricular
fibrillation or sudden cardiac death were enrolled to the study retrospectively. Patients were divided into groups according to
mortality during a follow up period of 4,5 years (48 patients alive and 17 dead). Heart rate, QT, QTc and T peak T end (Tp-e) duration
were measured from 12 derivations ECG electronically.
Results: Mean age of the study population was 70.6±11.9 years. Ventricular repolarization parameters such as QT, QTc, Tp-e duration
and Tp-e index values were found to be similar between deaths and live patient groups. Patients who died during the follow-up had
advanced age (68.7±12.5 vs 76.8±10.3 years, p=0.009), lower left ventricular ejection fraction percentage (LVEF %) (37.6±13.3 vs
26.9±9.2, p=0.003) and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (81.2±22.5 vs 61±34.3 ml/min/m2, p=0.03). Arrhythmic death
patients only had lower LVEF % than non-arrhythmic death patient’s group.
Conclusions: In patients with ICD for secondary prevention QT, QTc, Tp-e duration and Tp-e index were not related to mortality.