BACKGROUND: Acute, excessive alcohol intake has been associated with an increased cardiovascular mortality in otherwise healthy individuals. It predisposes to accelerated atherosclerosis resulting in acute coronary events but also arrhythmias have been described, such as atrial fibrillation and life-threatening re-entrant ventricular arrhythmias. QTc prolongation is associated with an increased risk of ventricular tachyarrhythmias and an independent risk factor for sudden cardiac death. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of binge drinking on the conduction intervals in healthy individuals. METHODS: Ten of the volunteers drank red wine while the other ten volunteers drank a sweet designer drink. A follow-up of blood pressure, heart rate, ECG and laboratory findings was performed at an ethanol level of 0, 0.4 and 0.8%, respectively. RESULTS: Fifteen volunteers showed a prolongation of the PR interval, 13 of the QRS complex, 9 of the QT interval and 13 of the QTc interval. PR interval increased from 149 +/- 16 ms to 163 +/- 11 ms (p < 0.05). The heart rate-adjusted QT interval increased from 400 +/- 24 ms to 426 +/- 52 ms (p < 0.05). Heart rate and systolic blood pressure did not significantly change due to the ingestion. CONCLUSION: Acute ingestion of alcohol in a healthy population can induce prolongation of PR and QTc interval.
BACKGROUND: Acute, excessive alcohol intake has been associated with an increased cardiovascular mortality in otherwise healthy individuals. It predisposes to accelerated atherosclerosis resulting in acute coronary events but also arrhythmias have been described, such as atrial fibrillation and life-threatening re-entrant ventricular arrhythmias. QTc prolongation is associated with an increased risk of ventricular tachyarrhythmias and an independent risk factor for sudden cardiac death. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of binge drinking on the conduction intervals in healthy individuals. METHODS: Ten of the volunteers drank red wine while the other ten volunteers drank a sweet designer drink. A follow-up of blood pressure, heart rate, ECG and laboratory findings was performed at an ethanol level of 0, 0.4 and 0.8%, respectively. RESULTS: Fifteen volunteers showed a prolongation of the PR interval, 13 of the QRS complex, 9 of the QT interval and 13 of the QTc interval. PR interval increased from 149 +/- 16 ms to 163 +/- 11 ms (p < 0.05). The heart rate-adjusted QT interval increased from 400 +/- 24 ms to 426 +/- 52 ms (p < 0.05). Heart rate and systolic blood pressure did not significantly change due to the ingestion. CONCLUSION: Acute ingestion of alcohol in a healthy population can induce prolongation of PR and QTc interval.
Authors: Michal Pásek; Markéta Bébarová; Georges Christé; Milena Šimurdová; Jiří Šimurda Journal: Med Biol Eng Comput Date: 2015-08-18 Impact factor: 2.602
Authors: Sara F Ferreiro; Natalia Vilariño; Cristina Carrera; M Carmen Louzao; Germán Santamarina; Antonio G Cantalapiedra; Laura P Rodríguez; J Manuel Cifuentes; Andrés C Vieira; K C Nicolaou; Michael O Frederick; Luis M Botana Journal: Arch Toxicol Date: 2013-08-11 Impact factor: 5.153