Publication Date:
2018-11-29
Description:
Ischemic injuries and subsequent degenerative myocardial and conduction system abnormalities occur in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). This may lead to conduction and repolarization delays reflected as QTc prolongation. Patients with SCD have increased risk of cardiac death, the basis of which remains uncertain. QTc prolongation may be a contributing factor. We decided to examine factors that can potentiate QTc prolongation in this population. In particular, we studied effect of iron overload estimated by serum Ferritin level on QTc. We performed a cross-sectional study in SCD patients older than 18 years, in steady state, followed in our clinic. Patients with acute illness or vaso-occlusive crisis in prior 2 weeks, patients with bundle branch block, pacemaker or arrhythmia and patients unable to give consent were excluded. Prolonged QTC was defined as 〉450 and 〉460 ms in men and women respectively. Patients were divided into 3 groups corresponding to mild, moderate and severe iron overload with Ferritin 〈 1000, between 1000 and 3000 and 〉 3000 ng/mL respectively. QTc was prolonged in 25/177 patients (14%). Those were older (p=0.041), had lower hemoglobin (Hb) (p
Print ISSN:
0006-4971
Electronic ISSN:
1528-0020
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Permalink