The value of QTc dispersion in assessment of cardiac risk in elective aortic aneurysm surgery.

Abstract

To determine the value of QTc dispersion in predicting cardiac risk in aortic aneurysm surgery. Retrospective case-control study. One hundred and twenty-six patients who had abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery between May 1992 and April 1996. Nine patients experienced a postoperative cardiac complication defined as myocardial infarction or cardiac death. Twenty-four age and sex-matched controls who had uncomplicated aortic surgery were selected at random. QTc dispersion was calculated from the preoperative 12 lead electrocardiograms. The mean QTc dispersion in the cardiac complication group was greater than the control group (63.1 ms1/2 vs. 50.4 ms1/2) but the difference did not approach statistical significance. QTc dispersion cannot be recommended as a predictor of cardiac complication following elective aneurysm repair.