{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,25]],"date-time":"2026-03-25T11:57:24Z","timestamp":1774439844370,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":41,"publisher":"Portland Press Ltd.","issue":"12","content-domain":{"domain":["portlandpress.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2009,6,1]]},"abstract":"<jats:p>A prolongation of QT interval has been shown in patients with cirrhosis and it is considered as part of the definition of the so-called \u2018cirrhotic cardiomyopathy\u2019. The aim of the present study was to assess the determinants of QT interval prolongation in cirrhotic patients. Forty-eight male patients with different stages of liver disease were divided into three subgroups according to the Child\u2013Pugh classification. All patients underwent a 24-h ECG Holter recording. The 24-h mean of QT intervals corrected for heart rate (termed QTc) and the slope of the regression line QT\/RR were calculated. HRV (heart rate variability), plasma calcium and potassium concentration and HVPG (hepatic venous pressure gradient) were measured. QTc was progressively prolonged from Child A to Child C patients (P=0.001). A significant correlation between QTc and HVPG was found (P=0.003). Patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis presented QTc prolongation more frequently than patients with post-viral cirrhosis (P&amp;lt;0.001). The QT\/RR slope was steeper in subjects with alcoholic aetiology as compared with viral aetiology (P=0.02), suggesting that these patients have a further QTc prolongation when heart rate decreases. The plasma calcium concentration was inversely correlated with QTc (P&amp;lt;0.001). The presence of severe portal hypertension was associated with decreased HRV (P&amp;lt;0.001). Cirrhotic patients with a more severe disease, especially of alcoholic aetiology, who have greater HVPG and lower calcium plasma levels, have an altered ventricular repolarization and a reduced vagal activity to the heart, which may predispose to life-threatening arrhythmias.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1042\/cs20080325","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2008,12,11]],"date-time":"2008-12-11T17:02:47Z","timestamp":1229014967000},"page":"851-859","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1042\/crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":76,"title":["QT interval prolongation and decreased heart rate variability in cirrhotic patients: relevance of hepatic venous pressure gradient and serum calcium"],"prefix":"10.1042","volume":"116","author":[{"given":"Simonetta","family":"Genovesi","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Clinical Medicine and Prevention, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Cadore 48, Monza 20052, Italy"},{"name":"Nephrology Unit, S. Gerardo Hospital, via Pergolesi 33, Monza 20052, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Daniela\u00a0M.","family":"Prata\u00a0Pizzala","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Medical Division, S. Gerardo Hospital, via Pergolesi 33, Monza 20052, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Massimo","family":"Pozzi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Medical Division, S. Gerardo Hospital, via Pergolesi 33, Monza 20052, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Laura","family":"Ratti","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Nephrology Unit, S. Gerardo Hospital, via Pergolesi 33, Monza 20052, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Maria","family":"Milanese","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Medical Division, S. Gerardo Hospital, via Pergolesi 33, Monza 20052, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Federico","family":"Pieruzzi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Clinical Medicine and Prevention, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Cadore 48, Monza 20052, Italy"},{"name":"Nephrology Unit, S. Gerardo Hospital, via Pergolesi 33, Monza 20052, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Antonio","family":"Vincenti","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Electrophysiology and Cardiac Pacing Unit, S. Gerardo Hospital, via Pergolesi 33, Monza 20052, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Andrea","family":"Stella","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Medical Division, S. 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