title: Suboptimal glycemic control, independently of QT interval duration, is associated with increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias in a high-risk population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in diabetic patients, little is known about the impact of glycemic control on ventricular tachycardia (VT).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate whether hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is associated with increased incidence of VT.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study of 336 implantable cardioverter-defibrillator patients (both diabetes mellitus (DM) and non-DM) was conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HbA1c levels between 8% and 10% had a significant association with spontaneous VT, but not with QT/QTc.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Glycemic index is a significant predictor of spontaneous VT, independently of QT interval. Optimal glycemic control may help reduce occurrence of VT and sudden cardiac death in high-risk DM patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA. carol.chen-scarabelli@med.va.gov
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chen-Scarabelli
authors.forename: Tiziano M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Scarabelli
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D038321:Glycemic Index; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin