Clinical significance of QT interval and Cardiac Enzyme in Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was performed to investigate the value of corrected QT interval (QTc), corrected QT dispersion (cQTd), cardiac enzyme (Creatinine kinase; CK, CKMB) as a short-term prognosis and severity evaluation in CO poisoning. METHODS: This study reviewed 55 cases of CO poisoning that occurred form January 1, 2000, to June 31, 2005. We have analyzed the admission ECGs of patients with CO poisoning for QTc, QTd (QT dispersion), cQTd and measure CK, CK-MB, too. QTd was defined as the difference between the longest and the least QT intervals in any of the 12 leads. We evaluate short-term outcome with consciousness on discharge from ED and severity with receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO). RESULTS: Eighteen of 55 patients received HBO and seven patients received two or more. On admission, cQTd intervals of the intoxicated patients were increased compared to normal (63.2+/-38 ms), but not the QTc, QT, QTd. QTc interval and CK of patients who received HBO were significantly increased compared to patients who not receive(472.0+/-4 7 ms VS 437.2+/-730 ms, p=0.006 158 3.1+/-43174 u/L 138.8+/-2363 u/L p=0.009). Whether or not consciousness on discharge was associated only CK (p= 0.02). CONCLUSION: The QTc interval and CK were prolonged at patients who received HBO. That means that the QTc interval and CK reflected the severity of CO poisoning. CK of Patients who not recover consciousness after HBO were increased significantly. To say, as CK were increase, the short-term prognosis of CO poisoning is the poorer.