ECG: Corrected QT
Calculate the corrected QT interval
About
The most commonly used QT correction is that of Bazett which was proposed in 1920. Unfortunately the Bazett correction overcorrects with heart rates >110 bpm and undercorrects with heart rates < 60 bpm. The Hodges correction and the Framingham Correction do not have these problems and are preferred in these situations. At extremes of Heart Rate the Hodges correction may perform better than Bazett correction. Upper limit of normal is usually defined as 440 msec. A QTc >540 msec confers a 1.7x increased risk of cardiac event and a QTc >640 msec confers a 2.8x increased risk of cardiac event.
Causes of prolonged QT include drugs (antiarrhythmics, psychotropics, antihistamines, antibiotics and antifungals), electrolyte abnormalities (hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia), myocardial pathology (ischemia, myocarditis, post-pacing), hypothyroidism, intracranial pathology and congenital casues among others.
References
Sagie A, Larson MG, Goldberg RJ, Bengston JR, Levy D.
Luo S, Michler K, Johnton P, Macfarlane PW.
By using this site you acknowledge that you have read, understand, and agree to be bound by our terms of use and privacy policy. All content and tools are for educational use only, are not meant to be a substitute for professional advice and should not be used for medical diagnosis and/or medical treatment.
1. QT Correction?
The most commonly used QT correction is that of Bazett which was proposed in 1920. Unfortunately the Bazett correction overcorrects with heart rates >110 bpm and undercorrects with heart rates <60 bpm. The Hodges correction and the Framingham Correction do not have these problems and are preferred in these situations.