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Evaluation of Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Modern Rheumatology

Abstract

Objectives

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic multi-systemic inflammatory rheumatic disorder. Several studies have suggested that the interval from the peak to the end of the electrocardiographic T wave (Tp-e) may correspond to the transmural dispersion of repolarization and that increased Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio are associated with malignant ventricular arrhythmias. The aim of this study was to evaluate ventricular repolarization by using Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio in patients with AS, and to assess the relation with inflammation.

Methods

Sixty-two patients with AS and 50 controls were included. Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio were measured from a 12-lead electrocardiogram, and the Tp-e interval corrected for heart rate. The plasma level of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) was measured. These parameters were compared between groups.

Results

In electrocardiographic parameters analysis, QT dispersion (QTd) and corrected QTd were significantly increased in AS patients compared to the controls (31.7 ± 9.6 vs 28.2 ± 7.4 and 35.8 ± 11.5 vs 30.6 ± 7.9 ms, P = 0.03 and P = 0.007, respectively). cTp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio were also significantly higher in AS patients (92.1 ± 10.2 vs 75.8 ± 8.4 and 0.22 ± 0.02 vs 0.19 ± 0.02 ms, all P values <0.001). cTp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio were significantly correlated with hsCRP (r = 0.63, P < 0.001 and r = 0.49, P < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusions

Our study revealed that Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio were increased in AS patients. These electrocardiographic ventricular repolarization indexes were significantly correlated with the plasma level of hsCRP.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kardiyoloji Anabilim Dali, Tıp Fakultesi, Kahramanmaraş Sutcu Imam Universitesi, Kahramanmaras, 46100, Turkey

    Gurkan Acar, Murat Akkoyun & Imran Dirnak

  2. Department of Cardiology, Elbistan Devlet Hastanesi, Kahramanmaras, Turkey

    Hikmet Yorgun & Alper Bugra Nacar

  3. Department of Radiology, Kahramanmaraş Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras, Turkey

    Mehmet Fatih İnci

  4. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras, Turkey

    Betul Bakan

  5. Department of Rheumatology, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras, Turkey

    Gozde Yildirim Cetin

  6. Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras, Turkey

    Orhan Bozoglan

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  1. Gurkan Acar
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  2. Hikmet Yorgun
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Correspondence to Gurkan Acar.

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Acar, G., Yorgun, H., İnci, M.F. et al. Evaluation of Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Mod Rheumatol (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10165-013-0881-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10165-013-0881-4

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