Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy

Figure 2 The QT interval. The QT interval is a measure of the time between the start of the Q wave and the end of the T wave in the heart during electrical cycle. The QT interval is dependent on the heart rate and needs to be corrected by heart rate. The corrected QT interval (QTc) estimates the QT interval at a heart rate of 60 bpm. The standard clinical correction in cirrhosis uses Fredericia’s formula: QTc = QT/RR^1/3. The RR interval is given in seconds (RR interval = 60/heart rate). QTc is prolonged if > 450 ms in men or > 470 ms in women. QTc interval prolongation is due to altered repolarization.