Investigation of QT Dispersion in Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis Patients and Determining the Effects of Variables

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the status and pathogenesis of the increase in QT dispersion (QTd), which allows predicting the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmia, in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) owing to end-stage renal disease.

Materials and Methods: A total of 32 patients undergoing HD, 22 patients undergoing PD, and 20 healthy individuals were included in this study. The difference between the longest QT distance and the shortest QT distance on electrocardiography was calculated, and the corrected QT dispersion (QTcd) was calculated using QTd and corrected QT distances using the Bazett’s formula. Blood samples taken 1 day after routine HD in patients undergoing HD and blood samples taken on the day of follow-up after 12 hours of fasting in patients undergoing PD were evaluated.

Results: Corrected QT (QTc) was calculated as 54.25±22.4 ms in the HD group, 54.13±18.06 ms in the PD group, and 38.7±8.11 ms in the control group, and these values were statistically significant (p<0.01). However, there was no significant difference between the HD and PD groups regarding the QTc. There was no significant relationship between QTcd and serum electrolytes, age, sex, and duration of dialysis in patients undergoing HD and PD.

Conclusion: Although there are sudden electrolyte changes during HD, this does not occur during PD. However, long QTcd monitoring in both the groups suggests that the prolongation of QTcd may depend on the current uremia rather than electrolyte changes.

Cite this article as: Arğun D, Sametoğlu F. Investigation of QT Dispersion in Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis Patients and Determining the Effects of Variables. Turk J Nephrol 2021; 30(1): 43-8.