PR and OTc interval prolongation on the electrocardiogram after binge drinking in healthy individuals.
BACKGROUND
Acute, excessive alcohol intake has been associated with an increased cardiovascular mortality in otherwise healthy individuals. It predisposes to accelerated atherosclerosis resulting in acute coronary events but also arrhythmias have been described, such as atrial fibrillation and life-threatening re-entrant ventricular arrhythmias. QTc prolongation is associated with an increased risk of ventricular tachyarrhythmias and an independent risk factor for sudden cardiac death. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of binge drinking on the conduction intervals in healthy individuals.


METHODS
Ten of the volunteers drank red wine while the other ten volunteers drank a sweet designer drink. A follow-up of blood pressure, heart rate, ECG and laboratory findings was performed at an ethanol level of 0, 0.4 and 0.8%, respectively.


RESULTS
Fifteen volunteers showed a prolongation of the PR interval, 13 of the QRS complex, 9 of the QT interval and 13 of the QTc interval. PR interval increased from 149 +/- 16 ms to 163 +/- 11 ms (p < 0.05). The heart rate-adjusted QT interval increased from 400 +/- 24 ms to 426 +/- 52 ms (p < 0.05). Heart rate and systolic blood pressure did not significantly change due to the ingestion.


CONCLUSIONS
Acute ingestion of alcohol in a healthy population can induce prolongation of PR and QTc interval.
Lorsheyd
A
A
Department of Internal Medicine, Meander Medical Centre, Amersfoort, The Netherlands. alorshey@hotmail.com
de Lange
D W
DW
Hijmering
M L
ML
Cramer
M J M
MJ
van de Wiel
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000150:complications*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D000431:Ethanol