The Assessment of Tp-e Interval and Tp-e/QT Ratio in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to investigate ventricular repolarization using T-peak to T-end (Tp-e) intervals and Tp-e/QT ratios in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Patients and methods: Totally 65 patients (8 males, 57 females; mean age 49.8 years; range 20 to 77 years) with SSc and 63 control subjects (8 males, 55 females; mean age 49.3 years; range 20 to 77 years) were enrolled. Tp-e intervals, Tp-e/QT, and Tp-e/corrected QT (QTc) ratios were measured from the 12-lead electrocardiogram. Results: Tp-e intervals, QT intervals, QTc intervals, Tp-e/QT, and Tp-e/QTc ratios were significantly higher in patients with SSc than control subjects (all p<0.01). There was no difference between patients with diffuse and limited cutaneous SSc in terms of electrocardiogram and echocardiographic findings. Correlation analysis revealed no correlation between Tp-e intervals, Tp-e/QT, and Tp-e/QTc ratios with disease duration and anti-Sjögren's syndrome antigen A antibody levels in patients with SSc (all p>0.05). Conclusion: Our study showed that Tp-e intervals, Tp-e/QT, and Tp-e/QTc ratios were increased in patients with SSc than control subjects. The increased frequency of ventricular arrhythmias can be clarified by increased indexes of ventricular repolarization parameters in patients with SSc.

Psoriatic arthritis is associated with myocardial repolarization dysregulation as assessed by the QTc interval and the Tp-e/QTc ratio

“…The prolongation of the Tp-e/QTc ratio has been shown in many chronic inflammatory diseases in various studies [29][30][31]. Our study is the first that shows the prolonged Tp-e/QTc ratio in psoriatic arthritis patients.…”

Corrected QT Interval in Systemic Sclerosis Patients

“…This myocardial fibrosis is identified in 50% to 70% of SSc patients, generating prolongation the time required for all ventricular depolarization and repolarization processes to occur. The electrocardiographic sign is represented by the prolonged QTc interval [14,15]. But beside myocardial fibrosis, autonomic dysfunction contributes to QTc prolongation, too [6].…”

“…One study showed that in dcSSc patients, QTc interval was significantly prolonged than in lcSSc patients [24], but it has not been confirmed by other studies. Another study performed on 65 SSc patients and 63 control subjects showed that the QTc intervals were significantly higher in the former (p < 0.01), without any difference between patients with dcSSc and lcSSc [15]. QTc interval prolongation in SSc patients with late capillaroscopic pattern is associated with a high risk of developing life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias [23].…”