title: The value of QTc dispersion in assessment of cardiac risk in elective aortic aneurysm surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the value of QTc dispersion in predicting cardiac risk in aortic aneurysm surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case-control study.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and twenty-six patients who had abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery between May 1992 and April 1996.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine patients experienced a postoperative cardiac complication defined as myocardial infarction or cardiac death. Twenty-four age and sex-matched controls who had uncomplicated aortic surgery were selected at random. QTc dispersion was calculated from the preoperative 12 lead electrocardiograms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean QTc dispersion in the cardiac complication group was greater than the control group (63.1 ms1/2 vs. 50.4 ms1/2) but the difference did not approach statistical significance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  QTc dispersion cannot be recommended as a predictor of cardiac complication following elective aneurysm repair.
authors.affiliation: Gloucestershire Vascular Group, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucester, U.K.
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Woodward
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Earnshaw
authors.forename: B P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Heather
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003643:Death; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors