The value of QTc dispersion in assessment of cardiac risk in elective aortic aneurysm surgery

Objectives: To determine the value of QTc dispersion in predicting cardiac risk in aortic aneurysm surgery. Design: Retrospective case-control study. Materials: One hundred and twenty-six patients who had abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery between May 1992 and April 1996. Methods: Nine patients experienced a postoperative cardiac complication defined as myocardial infarction or cardiac death. Twenty-four age and sex-matched controls who had uncomplicated aortic surgery were selected at random. QTc dispersion was calculated from the preoperative 12 lead electrocardiograms. Results: The mean QTc dispersion in the cardiac complication group was greater than the control group (63.1 ms(1/2) vs. 50.4 ms(1/2)) but the difference did not approach statistical significance. Conclusions: QTc dispersion cannot be recommended as a predictor of cardiac complication following elective aneurysm repair.