QTc interval prolongation in liver cirrhosis with upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Abstract

QTc interval prolongation is common in patients with liver cirrhosis. Cirrhotic patients suffering from complications could also prolong QT interval. We aimed to explore the role of QTc interval prolongation in cirrhotic patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). Overall, 167 patients were analyzed. QTc interval prolongation presented in 111 patients (66.5%). One hundred and seven patients (64.1%) suffered from acute UGIB. Results showed that RBC, Hb, ALB and calcium (Ca) were significantly lower, and DBIL, GGT, APTT, Child-Pugh score, MELD score and ALBI score were significantly higher in the prolongation group than those without QTc prolongation. AUROC of QTc was .699 (95%CI: .623-.768). In the acute UGIB subgroup, AUROC of QTc was .478 (95%CI: .347-.611). In the HBV subgroup, AUROC of QTc was .722 (95%CI: .616-.812). QTc interval prolongation was prevalent in cirrhotic patients with UGIB and correlated with liver dysfunction. QTc might not be a valid predictor of in-hospital mortality.

Keywords: Cirrosis hepática; Hemorragia digestiva alta; In-hospital mortality; Intervalo QTc; Liver cirrhosis; Mortalidad hospitalaria; Prognosis; Pronóstico; QTc interval; Upper gastrointestinal bleeding.