Serum Cu was increased both in AHF and CHF and correlated with LV systolic and diastolic function. Serum Zn, in contrast, was decreased both in AHF and CHF and independently predicted by clinical status and LV diastolic function.
The present study aimed to investigate the causative medications and underlying risk factors that predispose to drug-induced QT interval prolongation. Twenty-one patients with drug-induced long QT (90% females, mean age 64.3 +/- 14.1 years) were included in the study. Transthoracic echocardiography as well as continuous or ambulatory 48-h electrocardiographic monitoring was carried out in all patients during their hospitalization. The mean corrected QT (QTc) interval was 542 +/- 56.8 ms. Known cardiac agents (mainly class III antiarrhythmics) were implicated in 13/21 (62%), antipsychotics in 8/21 (38%), and antibiotics in 5/21 patients (24%). Potential drug-interactions through inhibition of cytochrome P450 isoenzymes were considered responsible in 5/21 cases (24%). The underlying cardiovascular diseases included hypertension (57%) with left ventricular hypertrophy (29%), paroxysmal atrial tachyarrhytmias (48%), heart failure (14%), valvular heart disease (10%), and coronary artery disease (5%). Torsade de pointes (TdP) was recorded in 6/21 of patients, and cardiac arrest necessitating resuscitation occurred in five of them. A significant correlation was observed between administration of cardiac agents and TdP events (P < 0.05). TdP and cardiac arrest events were both associated with a QTc interval >510 ms (P < 0.05). Advanced age (>60 years), female gender, hypertension and paroxysmal atrial tachyarrhytmias were the most common identifiable pre-existing factors for drug-induced long QT in our patient cohort. Marked QTc interval prolongation should be considered of prognostic significance for TdP and cardiac arrest events.
Plasma NT-pro-BNP levels were significantly higher in patients with paroxysmal and permanent AF compared to those with sinus rhythm in the setting of preserved left ventricular systolic function. LVEF and LAD were independent predictors of NT-pro-BNP levels.
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