title: [Corrected QT interval during therapeutic hypothermia in hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Therapeutic hypothermia is the standard treatment for hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE), despite not knowing all its effects and complications. Sinus bradycardia is one of the consequences of cooling that has been previously documented in the literature, but little is known about the cardiac electrical activity in these patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the corrected QT (QTc) interval in newborns treated with therapeutic hypothermia for HIE.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective observational study was conducted in all patients treated with hypothermia for HIE that were admitted to our Unit between November 2012 and October 2013. ECGs were performed during hypothermia (every 24h), during the re-warming period (at 34.5°C, 35.5°C, 36.5°C), and on the 7th day of life.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 19 patients were included. A prolonged QTc was observed in all patients during hypothermia, and 84% (n=16) had prolonged QTc in all the ECGs during treatment. In 3 patients, one of the ECGs did not have a prolonged QTc. After re-warming, the QTc interval returned to normal in all patients. No statistically significant differences were seen when the degree of HIE (P=.192) or the use of inotropic support (P=.669) were considered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Therapeutic hypothermia applied to asphyxiated newborns with HIE seems to induce a QTc prolongation that resolves when the patient regains physiological temperature.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neonatología, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: Laia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vega
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neonatología, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España. Electronic address: hboix@vhebron.net.
authors.forename: Héctor
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Boix
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cardiología Pediátrica, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: Dimpna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Albert
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Radiología Pediátrica, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Delgado
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neonatología, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: Félix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Castillo
mesh_terms: D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020925:Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies
keywords: Arrhythmia; Arritmia; Asfixia; Asphyxia; Encefalopatía hipóxico-isquémica; Hipotermia inducida; Hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy; Induced hypothermia; Neonato; Newborn