Corrected QT Interval Anomalies Are Associated with Worse Prognosis Among Patients Suffering from Sepsis

Background: Patients suffering from sepsis experience organ failure and metabolic derangements, with a negative impact on their prognosis and survival. Objective markers for dismal prognosis in this group of patients are sought.

Aims: To assess the potential role of corrected QT interval anomalies as surrogates for metabolic derangements leading to increased short and medium-term mortality in patients suffering from sepsis.

Methods: This study utilised a historic-cohort analysis of 257 septic patients admitted to internal medicine departments. Personal data, vital signs, laboratory results and electrocardiograms were collected. Patients were grouped according to QTc duration, weather mid-range (395-490 ms) or non-mid-range, and further defined as shorter (<395 ms) or longer (>490 ms).

Results: Mortality rates differed significantly between the mid-range QTc group and the non-mid-range groups at 14 days (23.7 vs 38.2%, respectively; P = 0.014) and at 3 months (38.5 vs 59.6%, respectively; P = 0.001). In a three-group analysis, the 14-day mortality was the highest in the longer QTc group and the lowest in the mid-range group compared with the shorter QTc group (44.4, 23.7 and 35.5%, respectively; P = 0.034), and this difference also remained at 3 months (74.1, 38.5 and 53.2%, respectively; P = 0.001). All differences remained statistically significant in a multivariate Cox regression analysis.

Conclusions: QTc duration anomalies are associated with worse short- and medium-term prognosis and may act as a marker for more severe clinical sequelae.