Significance of Long QT Wave in Screening for HepC Treatment

[ChrisDDD]

I hope someone here can help me.  I'm a regular poster at the Hepatitis C Forum.  The reason I'm here is because I just got declined for participation in a wonderful new clinical trial to cure HepC because I had two abnormal EKG's, one right after the other to make sure there wasn't something wrong with the machine.

The abnormal result was a long QT wave or long PR wave?  I had a perfectly normal EKG Dec. '05.  This has never happened to me before.  I've tried to research how serious this condition is and what it means, in addition to scheduling an appointment with the cardiologist that did the normal EKG Dec. '05, which included a treadmill stress test, which was also normal.

Can anyone enlighten me?  I have no symptoms at all except rare palpitations.  I'm 52, female, high blood pressure under control with meds, and feel like I'm at the end of my rope.  I had all my hopes pinned on this HepC trial (PROVE 3) and now my heart has "screwed me over" and I'm off the list.  Help, please!

[stevie_wonder]

Did you see a number along with the long QT reading. Over 450 for a male is considered long. 430 borderline long. If it is over 470 then it is probable that it is Long QT Syndrome. I would get your ECG read by an Electrophysiologist, not just a cardiologist. The reading on one of my ECGs was 425 but when read by an Electrophysiologist it was actually over 460. The machines can be wrong but they can also be wrong in under reading the QTc as well. So it is best to get it checked out especially if you have ever had any fainting, dizziness etc or a family history of this. Many Long QT Syndrome patients have no symptoms before their first, which unfortunately can be their last.

[KLB32]

Did you have your EKG evaluated by a cardiologist or electrophysiologist?  I have had two doctors tell me recently that EKG machines are notorius for over estimating the QT interval and it must be manually measured by the doctor.

Also, like the previous poster said, it could be a medication you are on that is prolonging the interval.

[ChrisDDD]

Thank you both for responding, by the way.  This is just what I was afraid of, is that it was the stupid machine.  The two research assistants who were screening me even said the machine was kind of "funky".  I've had palpitations for years and wanted to get something done about it, because heart disease is rampant on both sides of my family.  So from time to time I've had EKG's and ECG's, always normal.  My doctor and I discussed my wearing a Holter (sp?) monitor, and agreed it was probably pointless because the palpitations are so unpredictable and have never showed up on any tests we did.

So NOW it shows up when I'm hoping to get into this fantastic new drug study that could finally, after 31 years, cure my HepC?  And to answer your question, no, it wasn't a cardiologist or electrophysiologist (?) that read it, it was these two research assistants.  They're very smart and cautious, but the doctor running the study agreed with them that including me in this clinical trial was too risky for my health, based on the two abnormal ECG's.  GGRRR!!!  I have an appointment with a cardiologist to get this straightened out.  By the way, I'm accepting bets from anyone who'd like to participate that the palpitations won't show up during my visit with the cardiologist either.  Thanks.  Have a great day.

[stevie_wonder]

Hi,
The only thing I can think of would be that the drug they use for HepC is on the Long QT drug list. People who have a long QT on an ECG have to avoid certain medications that can cause the heart to go into a dangerous arrhythmia. I think that a long PR is something to do with an AV block. Not sure about that though.