Tp‐e and (Tp‐e)/QT ratio as a non‐invasive risk factors for malignant ventricular arrhythmia in patients with idiopathic ventricular premature complexes
Donghua Zhao, Bo Liang, Jian Peng, Liangyu Tang, Rong-bin Su, Lingli Luo, Bin Deng, Shuyuan Wang
Abstract
BACKGROUND: To evaluate the role of Tp-e and (Tp-e)/QT ratio in differentiating benign ventricular premature complex (VPC) and malignant polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PVT). METHODS: From January 2017 to December 2017, patients with documented polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PVT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF) were consecutive included and classified as PVT/VF group. Sixty age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were recruited as comparative control and subdivided into non-VPC and VPC group. Clinical characteristics and Tp-e and Tp-e/QT ratio between the three groups were compared. RESULTS: Tp-e and (Tp-e)/QT ratio were significantly higher in patients of PVT/VF group compared with the other two groups (P < .001). Episodes of syncope were more frequent in patients with PVT/VF (P < .05). The sensitivity and specificity of a Tp-e interval ≥86 ms for malignant arrhythmias triggered by VPCs were 88% and 66%, respectively, while the sensitivity and specificity of the Tp-e/QT ratio ≥0.24 were 82% and 70%, respectively. Five patients complained recurrence of syncope in the PVT/VF group and 1 patient died with mean follow-up of 18 months. CONCLUSION: Tp-e interval and the Tp-Te/QT ratio is significantly increased in patients with PVT/VF and may be used as a novel non-invasive marker of differentiating malignant and benign VPC.