Changes of Q-Tc interval in patients with posthepatitis B cirrhosis and its clinical significance

  Objective  To analyze the changes of Q-Tc in electrocardiogram and its related factors in patients with posthepatitis B cirrhosis.

  Methods  The clinical data of 80 patients with viral hepatitis B cirrhosis (cirrhosis group) was retrospectively analyzed. The general data of the cirrhosis group and 30 chronic hepatitis B patients (control group) was compared. The changes of electrocardiogram in Q-Tc interval were analyzed. The relationships between Child-Pugh score, grade and degree of cirrhosis was analyzed.

  Results  The levels of serum sodium, serum calcium, serum albumin, hemoglobin and platelet in the cirrhosis group were significantly lower, while the levels of serum bilirubin and aspartate aminotransferase were significantly higher, and prothrombin time was significantly longer than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The heart rate in the cirrhosis group was significantly higner, and the Q-Tc interval was significantly longer than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The Q-Tc interval was positively correlated with Child-Pugh score (r=0.38, P < 0.01), but negatively correlated with serum albumin (r=-0.31, P=0.006) and hemoglobin (r=-0.29, P=0.010); Child-pugh score was an independent correlation factor affecting the electrocardiogram Q-Tc interval in patients with cirrhosis.

  Conclusion  Q-Tc is prolonged in patients with cirrhosis and it is correlated with Child-Pugh score. The detection of Q-Tc interval changes has clinical guiding significance for knowing the severity of cirrhosis.