Changes in QTc Duration during Haloperidol Use
Author Information
Author(s): Marieke T. Blom, Abdennasser Bardai, Barbara C. van Munster, Mei-Ing Nieuwland, Hendrik de Jong, Daniel A. van Hoeijen, Anne M. Spanjaart, Anthonius de Boer, Sophia E. de Rooij, Hanno L. Tan
Primary Institution: Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam
Hypothesis
Does low-dose haloperidol use affect QTc duration in elderly hospitalized patients?
Conclusion
QTc duration changes differently during haloperidol use, increasing in patients with normal QTc duration and decreasing in those with prolonged QTc duration.
Supporting Evidence
- Patients with normal QTc duration had a significant increase in QTc duration of 23 ms during haloperidol use.
- 23% of patients with normal QTc duration rose to abnormal levels during haloperidol use.
- Patients with borderline or abnormal QTc duration showed significant QTc shortening during haloperidol use.
Takeaway
This study looked at how a medicine called haloperidol affects heart rhythm in older patients. It found that some patients' heart rhythms got longer while others got shorter when they took the medicine.
Methodology
A retrospective cohort study analyzing ECGs of 97 patients before, during, and after haloperidol use.
Potential Biases
Potential overrepresentation of patients with cardiac disease due to the study's design.
Limitations
The study's retrospective design may introduce bias, and it only included patients with available ECG recordings.
Participant Demographics
Mean age 68 years, 64% male.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.009
Confidence Interval
34.9 [2.4–506.2]
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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