Chemo Experts, the easiest way to learn about cancer treatment+ChemoExperts Affiliate

Side Effect: QT Interval Prolongation

What is the QT interval?

The QT interval is measured using a painless procedure called an electrocardiogram. This is often abbreviated as an ECG, or EKG. Electrode pads are placed on the chest and measure the electrical conductivity through the heart. There are different phases of a heart beat, with the QT-phase being one of them.

A normal QTc interval is:

Importantly, up to 20% of healthy people have a QTc interval outside of this range

 

What does QT Interval Prolongation look like?

QT prolongation is when the QT interval takes longer to complete that usual. When determining if the QT interval is prolonged due to medications, a corrected value is used, known as the QTc interval.

QT Interval Prolongation


Click to enlarge

Who gets QT Interval Prolongation?

Several causes of QT prolongation exist. These include:

How to prevent QT Interval Prolongation

QTc prolongation can sometimes be minimized by having a doctor or pharmacist look over your medication list to see if any of your medications may be contributing.

If you have been told that your QTc is close to the upper limit of the normal range, you should make sure that any new medications are screened for the possibility of further prolonging the QTc interval before you take them. This will reduce the risk of developing dangerous changes in heart rhythm, such as torsades de pointe.

References

1. Wattoo MA, Tabassum M, Bhutta KR, et al. Correlation of Prolonged Corrected QT Interval With Ventricular Arrhythmias and In-Hospital Mortality Among ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients: A Mystique or Lucidity? Cureus. 2020;12(12):e12356.

2. Mahmud R, Gray A, Nabeebaccus A, Whyte MB. Incidence and outcomes of long QTc in acute medical admissions. Int J Clin Pract. 2018 Nov;72(11):e13250.

Created: March 17, 2023 Updated: March 17, 2023