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. 2020 Dec;115(6):1135-1141.
doi: 10.36660/abc.20190296.

Effect of Heroin on Electrocardiographic Parameters

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Ersin Yildirim  1 , Murat Selcuk  2 , Faysal Saylik  2 , Ferit Onur Mutluer  2 , Ozgur Deniz  2
Affiliations

Effect of Heroin on Electrocardiographic Parameters

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Ersin Yildirim et al. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020 Dec.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Background: Heroin addiction is currently a significant health problem, and information on the electrocardiographic effects of heroin is limited.

Objetivo: The aim of the present study is to investigate effects of heroin addiction on electrocardiographic parameters.

Methods: A total of 136 individuals, including 66 individuals who smoke heroin as the study group and 70 healthy individuals with no drug addiction as the control group, were included in the study. Individuals who inject heroin were excluded. Electrocardiographic (ECG) evaluation of those using heroin was performed and compared with those of the control group. In addition, pre-treatment and post-treatment ECG of the heroin group were compared. A p-value of <0.05 was accepted as statistically significant.

Results: Heart rate (77.2±12.8 versus 71.4±11.2; p=0.02) were found to be higher in the heroin group compared to the control group. QT (341.50±25.80 versus 379.11±45.23; p=0.01), QTc intervals (385.12±29.11 versus 411.3±51.70; p<0.01), and T peak to end time (Tpe) (65.41±10.82 versus 73.3±10.13; p<0.01) were significantly shorter in the heroin group. No difference was observed between the groups with regard to Tpe/QT and Tpe/QTc ratios. In the subgroup analysis of the heroin group, QT (356.81±37.49 versus 381.18±40.03; p<0.01) and QTc (382.06±26.41 versus 396.06±29.80; p<0.01) intervals were significantly shorter in the pre-treatment period.

Conclusion: Heroin addiction significantly affects the QT, QTc, and Tpe time intervals. The arrhythmia effects of these parameters are well known. More attention to the electrocardiographic parameters of these individuals should be given. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(6):1135-1141).

Fundamento: Atualmente, o vício em heroína é um problema de saúde preocupante, e as informações sobre os efeitos eletrocardiográficos da heroína são limitadas.

Objetivos: O objetivo do presente estudo é investigar os efeitos da dependência de heroína em parâmetros eletrocardiográficos.

Métodos: Um total de 136 indivíduos, incluindo 66 indivíduos que fumam heroína como grupo de estudo e 70 indivíduos saudáveis sem dependência de drogas como grupo de controle, foram incluídos no estudo. Indivíduos que injetam heroína foram excluídos. A avaliação eletrocardiográfica (ECG) dos usuários de heroína foi realizada e comparada com as do grupo controle. Além disso, os ECGs pré e pós-tratamento do grupo usuário de heroína foram comparados. Um valor de p<0,05 foi aceito como estatisticamente significativo.

Resultados: A frequência cardíaca (77,2±12,8 versus 71,4±11,2; p=0,02) foi maior no grupo usuário de heroína em comparação com o grupo controle. Os intervalos QT (341,50±25,80 versus 379,11±45,23; p=0,01), QTc (385,12±29,11 versus 411,3±51,70; p<0,01) e o intervalo do pico ao fim da onda T (Tpe) (65,41±10,82 versus 73,3±10,13; p<0,01) foram significativamente menores no grupo usuário de heroína. Nenhuma diferença foi observada entre os grupos com respeito às razões Tpe/QT e Tpe/QTc. Na análise de subgrupo do grupo usuário de heroína, os intervalos QT (356,81±37,49 versus 381,18±40,03; p<0,01) e QTc (382,06±26,41 versus 396,06±29,80; p<0,01) foram significativamente mais curtos no período pré-tratamento.

Conclusão: O vício em heroína afeta significativamente os intervalos de tempo QT, QTc e Tpe. Os efeitos de arritmia desses parâmetros já são conhecidos. Os parâmetros eletrocardiográficos desses indivíduos merecem mais atenção. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(6):1135-1141).

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Conflict of interest statement

Potencial conflito de interesses

Declaro não haver conflito de interesses pertinentes.

Comment in

  • Heroin by Dreser x Eroica by Beethoven.
    Pinho C. Pinho C. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020 Dec;115(6):1142-1143. doi: 10.36660/abc.20201176. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020. PMID: 33470314 Free PMC article. English, Portuguese. No abstract available.

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