{Reference Type}: Journal Article {Title}: Electrocardiographic characteristics of cirrhotic patients and their association with Child-Pugh score. {Author}: Jahangiri S;Abdiardekani A;Jamshidi S;Askarinejad A;Mosalamiaghili S;Bazrafshan M;Karimi M;Bazrafshan H;Bazrafshan Drissi H; {Journal}: Clin Cardiol {Volume}: 46 {Issue}: 8 {Year}: 2023 Aug 12 {Factor}: 3.287 {DOI}: 10.1002/clc.24089 {Abstract}: BACKGROUND: Cardiac dysfunction is a serious complication of cirrhosis which is usually asymptomatic. We investigated the clinical and electrocardiographic (ECG)-related factors among patients with cirrhosis and our aim was to find any associations between ECG changes and the etiology of cirrhosis, as well as Child-Pugh score.
OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that some ECG-related factors, particularly prolonged QT interval, are more common in patients with cirrhosis. Also, these factors are associated with the severity of cirrhosis, measured by the Child-Pugh score.
METHODS: From April 2019 to December 2022, we reviewed admitted patients to Namazi and Abu-Ali Sina hospitals, Shiraz, Iran. Patients with confirmed diagnosis of cirrhosis and without concurrent disorders affecting the cardiovascular system were selected. Clinical and ECG-related data were then extracted for participants, and Child-Pugh score was calculated.
RESULTS: A total of 425 patients were included; the median age was 36 years, and 245 patients (57.6%) were men. Cryptogenic and primary sclerosing cholangitis were the most common etiologies. Prolonged QT followed by early transitional zone were the most common ECG changes (24.7% and 19.8%, respectively), which were significantly associated with the etiology of cirrhosis and Child-Pugh class.
CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged QT interval and presence of early transitional zone in patients with cirrhosis may indicate cardiac dysfunction, necessitating further evaluations.