Prolongation of QT Interval in ECG: A Hidden Complication of Cirrhotic Liver Disease

Objective: To  determine frequency of QT interval prolongation in ECG of patients with decompensated  liver cirrhosis in a tertiary care hospital of Karachi, Pakistan. Methods: A total of 60 patients with cirrhosis were included in this study. Clinical examination to see       the presence of ascites, liver span  and  encephalopathy,  and  related  investigation  such  as  liver func- tion tests, serum albumin, prothrombin time  and  ultrasound  abdomen  for  portal  vein  size  was  done  and they were labelled as suffering from cirrhotic liver disease. Two  12 lead ECG was done >5 min-        utes apart, when found same and QT interval calculated. Results: The average age of the patients came out to be 45.37 ± 6.59 years. There were 36 (60%)        were male and 24 (40%) female. Frequency of QT prolongation in patients with decompensate  liver cirrhosis was observed in 12 (20%) cases. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is a common occurrence. The fre- quency of QT prolongation was 20% in patients with cirrhosis.This study demonstrates the direct rela- tionship of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy with the severity of liver disease. Therefore patients with cirrhosis should be investigated for prolonged QTc and the proper diagnosis and treatment.