title: QTc interval and QTc dispersion during haemodiafiltration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our aim was to evaluate QTc interval and QTc dispersion in 27 end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing Acetate Free Biofiltration (AFB) in order to ascertain any correlations between the electrrocardiographic (ECG) parameters, serum Na+, K+, Ca++, Mg++ and intraerythrocytic Mg++ (Mg++e) concentrations. All measures were made at t0 (session beginning), t1 (first hour), t2 (second hour), t3 (third hour), and t4 (session end).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Blood pressure, heart rate, bodyweight and total ultrafiltration in the three dialysis sessions were constant. A significant progressive increase occurred in serum Ca++ during the sessions, while there was a significant diminution in serum K+. The pattern for Mg++ concentrations in serum and erythrocytes differed: in serum it decreased, whereas Mg++e increased. At t4, the QTc interval was reduced to a significant extent with respect to the baseline value. QTc dispersion significantly increased at t1 without there being significant variations at other times with respect to t0. At t2, t3 and t4, values promptly returned to baseline levels. QTc had a negative correlation with serum Ca++ levels at t4. In contrast, an inverse correlation was found between QTc dispersion and serum K+ at t1. No other correlations could be found between any other electrolytes, QTc interval or QTc dispersion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, the decrease observed in the QTc interval at the end of an AFB session was inversely related to serum Ca++ concentrations. Moreover, an increase in QTc dispersion occurred during the first hour of the session, and was negatively correlated with serum K+.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Fulvio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Floccari
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aloisi
authors.forename: Lorena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nostro
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Caccamo
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Crisafulli
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barillà
authors.forename: Carmela
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aloisi
authors.forename: Adolfo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Romeo
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Corica
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ientile
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Frisina
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buemi
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D017583:Hemodiafiltration; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D008274:Magnesium; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium