title: Effects of aging and beta-adrenergic-blockade on standing-induced QT/QS2 changes.
abstract: In order to evaluate whether the changes in the electrical systole/electromechanical systole ratio (QT/QS2) may reflect the effects of beta-adrenergic stimulation on the heart, we studied the variations of this ratio induced by active standing. We studied 45 healthy volunteers aged 15 to 82 years, subdivided into three groups; Group 1 (mean age 22 +/- 4 years), Group 2 (mean age 44 +/- 6 years), and Group 3 (mean age 74 +/- 6 years). Fifteen subjects repeated the test after propranolol administration (0.1 mg/kg iv). Resting QT/QS2 ratio increased slightly, but not significantly, with age. Upright position significantly increased QT/QS2 ratio in all groups. Changes in heart rate (r = -.43), electromechanical systole (r = .55) and QT/QS2 were significantly correlated with age. Propranolol prevented the increase in QT/QS2 ratio induced by active standing. Therefore, QT/QS2 changes induced by standing are correlated with age and are inhibited or reduced by beta-blockade. QT/QS2 changes can be used to monitor adrenergic activity, even if their value is limited by the overlapping responses of the individual cases.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Internal Medicine, University of Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Caprio
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Papa
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Acanfora
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cuomo
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vigorito
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cicatiello
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Canonico
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gallucci
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rengo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011187:Posture; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D013484:Supination
chemical_list: D011433:Propranolol