title: Drug-induced QTc-interval prolongation in the intensive care unit: incidence and predictors.
abstract: There is a paucity of information regarding QTc prolongation in critically ill patients. A prospective observational study was conducted to assess the incidence and predictors of QTc prolongation associated with medications in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Consecutive adult patients prescribed prespecified QTc-prolonging medications were assessed for development of the combined incidence of QTc >500 ms at anytime and QTc increase >60 ms above baseline. Over 3 months, 200 consecutive patients (63 ± 18 years; 52% female; 73% Caucasian; baseline QTc 447.3 ± 51.5 ms) were evaluated. The primary end point occurred in 48% of the patients (QTc >500 ms 40%, QTc increase >60 ms 29%). The majority of patients experienced a QTc >470 or 450 ms (60.5%). Mean increase in QTc at 48 hours was 20 ± 35 ms. Upon multivariate analysis, length of stay [odds ratio 1.30, 95% confidence interval (1.15, 1.47)] and baseline QTc [1.01 (1.01, 1.02)] were associated with an increased risk for the primary end point, while beta-blockers [0.41 (0.20, 0.81)] were associated with a risk reduction. In conclusion, increased risk of proarrhythmia, as assessed by QTc prolongation, occurs in the majority of ICU patients when prescribed medications with electrophysiologic properties. Increased vigilance is warranted. The possible protective effect of beta-blockers requires confirmation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Economics & Policy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA. tienng@usc.edu
authors.forename: Tien M H
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Keith M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: Megan A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: McCartan
authors.forename: Susan E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Puumala
authors.forename: Katie M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Speidel
authors.forename: Melissa A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Tom D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Sears
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D024841:Fluoroquinolones / Q000009:adverse effects; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000639:trends; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D006220:Haloperidol