Prognostic value of prolonged QTc interval in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a major cause of death in patients with venous thromboembolism. The age-adjusted incidence rate is 0.5 per 1,000 person-year and the 30-day case-fatality rate is 9.7% 1. The classic electrocardiography (ECG) findings in PE are an S1Q3T3 pattern or anteroseptal T wave inversions which represent right ventricle (RV) strain. Other ECG findings were proposed for evaluating RV strain such as a 21-ECG point scoring system and Kosuge’s criteria2. Prognostic value of prolonged QTc interval in patients with acute pulmonary embolism