Electrocardiographic Abnormalities and QT.sub.c Interval in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

Sudden cardiac death is one of the primary causes of mortality in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients. Prolonged QT.sub.c interval is associated with increased rate of sudden cardiac death. The aim of this article is to assess the abnormalities found in electrocardiograms (ECGs), and to explore factors that can influence the QT.sub.c interval. A total of 141 conventional HD patients were enrolled in this study. ECG tests were conducted on each patient before a single dialysis session and 15 minutes before the end of dialysis session (at peak stress). Echocardiography tests were conducted before dialysis session began. Blood samples were drawn by phlebotomy immediately before and after the dialysis session. Before dialysis, 93.62% of the patients were in sinus rhythm, and approximately 65% of the patients showed a prolonged QT.sub.c interval (i.e., a QT.sub.c interval above 440 ms in males and above 460ms in females). A comparison of ECG parameters before dialysis and at peak stress showed increases in heart rate (77.45±11.92 vs. 80.38±14.65 bpm, p = 0.001) and QT.sub.c interval (460.05±24.53 ms vs. 470.93±24.92 ms, p