Effect of Carvedilol on QT Duration in Paediatric Patients with Congestive Heart Failure

TY - JOUR

T1 - Effect of Carvedilol on QT Duration in Paediatric Patients with Congestive Heart Failure

AU - Mir, Thomas S

AU - Läer, Stephanie

AU - Eiselt, Michele

AU - Falkenberg, Jan

AU - Gottschalk, Urda

AU - Weil, Jochen

PY - 2004

Y1 - 2004

N2 - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of carvedilol on electrocardiographic parameters in children with congestive heart failure.PATIENTS AND METHODS: 18 children with heart failure (aged 2 months-17 years) were treated with carvedilol (initially 0.09 mg/kg/day, slowly increased up to 0.7 mg/kg/day) in addition to conventional therapy with digoxin, ACE inhibitors and diuretics. Twelve-lead rest electrocardiograms (ECGs) and echocardiography were performed in 16 patients with sinus rhythm at baseline and after 1, 2, 4 (n = 14) and 6 months (n = 14) of therapy. ECGs were analysed for heart rate, QT duration and QT dispersion. Echocardiography was performed for analysis of ejection fraction.RESULTS: After 6 months of therapy the mean ejection fraction increased from 37% to 55% (p < 0.05) and mean heart rate decreased by 14% (p < 0.05). Mean QT duration calculated by Bazett's formula (QT(B)) and Fridericia's formula (QT(F)) decreased from 428 msec (372-507 msec) to 387 msec (323-440 msec [QT(B)]; p < 0.05) and from 381 msec (315-466 msec) to 355 msec (309-435 msec [QT(F)]; p < 0.05) following therapy with carvedilol. In contrast, mean QT dispersion did not change significantly (18 msec; 10-40 msec before to 12 msec; 5-20 msec; p > 0.05).CONCLUSION: In conclusion, carvedilol treatment reduced QT duration but not QT dispersion in paediatric patients with heart failure. The decrease in QT duration reflects stabilisation of the action potential, and this may contribute to the improved prognosis in these patients.

AB - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of carvedilol on electrocardiographic parameters in children with congestive heart failure.PATIENTS AND METHODS: 18 children with heart failure (aged 2 months-17 years) were treated with carvedilol (initially 0.09 mg/kg/day, slowly increased up to 0.7 mg/kg/day) in addition to conventional therapy with digoxin, ACE inhibitors and diuretics. Twelve-lead rest electrocardiograms (ECGs) and echocardiography were performed in 16 patients with sinus rhythm at baseline and after 1, 2, 4 (n = 14) and 6 months (n = 14) of therapy. ECGs were analysed for heart rate, QT duration and QT dispersion. Echocardiography was performed for analysis of ejection fraction.RESULTS: After 6 months of therapy the mean ejection fraction increased from 37% to 55% (p < 0.05) and mean heart rate decreased by 14% (p < 0.05). Mean QT duration calculated by Bazett's formula (QT(B)) and Fridericia's formula (QT(F)) decreased from 428 msec (372-507 msec) to 387 msec (323-440 msec [QT(B)]; p < 0.05) and from 381 msec (315-466 msec) to 355 msec (309-435 msec [QT(F)]; p < 0.05) following therapy with carvedilol. In contrast, mean QT dispersion did not change significantly (18 msec; 10-40 msec before to 12 msec; 5-20 msec; p > 0.05).CONCLUSION: In conclusion, carvedilol treatment reduced QT duration but not QT dispersion in paediatric patients with heart failure. The decrease in QT duration reflects stabilisation of the action potential, and this may contribute to the improved prognosis in these patients.

U2 - 10.2165/00044011-200424010-00002

DO - 10.2165/00044011-200424010-00002

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 17516686

VL - 24

SP - 9

EP - 15

JO - CLIN DRUG INVEST

JF - CLIN DRUG INVEST

SN - 1173-2563

IS - 1

ER -