Abstract

QT interval dispersion is the distance between maximum QT and minimum QT intervals on surface 12 lead ECG. Inreased QT dispersion is associated with serious cardiac rhythm disturbances and sudden cardiac death. The largest group of acquired reasons of prolongation of QTc and TdP is drugs. The drugs which prolong cardiac repolarization can cause probable fatal arrhythmias (TdP). Generally remarkable prolongation of QTc due to drug use is dependent to dosage and is revased when it is stopped. Prolongation of QTc also depends on the class and dosage of antipsychotic drug and the drug interactions. However there are also other studies showing use of antipsychotic drugs at conventional dosages for a long period of time, prolongs both QTc and QT dispersion (QTd). In this paper we have evaluated the effects of antipsychotic drugs on QTc and QT dispersion.

Key words: Antipsychotic, QT interval, Torsades de Pointes