This study was performed to assess Q-T dispersion in patients with
acute myocardial infarction (AM)) treated with thrombolytic therapy versus
conventional therapy. The study population included 50 patients: 25
were treated with streptokinase (SK) and the other 25 did not received
such therapy due to contraindication. Their ages ranged between 37 to
80 years (mean 58.4 + 10.46). Thirty-six of them (72%) had anterior and
14 (28%) had inferior infarction. Twenty-five, age and sex-matched
healthy subjects served as control group. Q-T dispersion and dispersion
ratio were estimated thrice in 5K-treated group (on admission. 2hrs post-
5k and predischarge), twice in ,non-SK treated group (on admission and
predischarge) and once for co) ols. Statistical analysis of the results
showed that patients on admission had highly significant increase in g.T
dispersion parameters compared to controls (p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis
showed highly significant increase in g-T dispersion parameters in
patients who were complicated compared to those who were not complicated
with complex ventricular arrhythmias during hospital course (p
<0.01). Also there was highly significant increase in these parameters in
diabetic compared to nondiabetic patients (p < 0.01). Patients who were
treated with SK showed highly significant decrease in dispersion parameters
2 hours after SK infusion and on discharge form hospital compared
to that on admission (p < 0.01). Conversely. non-SK treated group showed
highly significant increase in Q.T. dispersion on discharge from hospital
compared to that on admission (p <0.01). In conclusion QT dispersion is
increased after AMI and are higher in patients with ventricular arrhythrnias.
Thrombolytir therapy is associated with marked reduction in g-T dispersion
which may reduce the risk of electrical instability after AMI. |
