title: Alterations in QT dispersion in medicated schizophrenia patients following electroconvulsive therapy.
abstract: QT dispersion (QTd) is a measure of interlead variations of the surface 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). Increased QTd, found in various cardiac diseases, reflects cardiac instability and is associated with increased risk for cardiac death. Research suggests a link between antipsychotics, ECG abnormalities (QT prolongation) and increased sudden cardiac mortality rates. However, QTd analysis has been scarcely investigated in schizophrenia patients. We calculated QTd in 20 medicated psychotic inpatients with schizophrenia, before and 3 days after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), concomitantly with Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) assessment. QT interval and the rate-corrected QT (QTc) were abnormally prolonged before ECT. However, although QT was significantly shortened, QTc showed only a marginal decrease after ECT. QTd, the rate-corrected QTd, as well as BPRS, showed a significant decrease after ECT. Further large-scale studies are warranted to determine if QTd can serve as a marker for response to ECT, and if it is a risk factor for sudden cardiac death in schizophrenia patients.
authors.affiliation: Geha Mental Health Center, Campus Beilinson, Petach Tivka, Israel. enachshoni@clalit.org.il
authors.forename: Eitan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nahshoni
authors.forename: Nira
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Manor
authors.forename: Faina
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bar
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stryjer
authors.forename: Gil
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zalsman
authors.forename: Abaraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weizman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents