The incidence, predictors and outcomes of QTc prolongation in critically ill patients

Abstract Purpose To study the incidence, predictors and outcomes of QTc prolongation (≥500 ms) during ICU admission. Methods Prospective observational study of patients admitted to a tertiary ICU during a two-month period. We obtained daily data on QTc intervals and arrhythmias from ICU monitors. We performed univariate and multivariable analyses to compare patients who did or did not experience QTc prolongation. Results Of the 257 patients, 93 (36.2%) developed ≥1 episode of QTc ≥500 ms. Such patients had higher APACHE II scores (p  Conclusions A QTc ≥500 ms likely represents a marker of illness severity modulated by several risk factors, and carries no independent association with clinically-significant ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Thus, cessation of QT-prolonging medications to prevent arrhythmias may lack clinical benefit.