Prolonged QT intervals are extremely common in patients with cirrhosis and affect their treatment outcomes. Propranolol is often used to prevent gastroesophageal variceal hemorrhage in patients with cirrhosis; however, it is uncertain whether propranolol exerts a corrective effect on QT interval prolongation in patients with cirrhosis.
The study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of propranolol on patients with cirrhosis and prolonged QT intervals.
A retrospective cohort study approach was adopted. Patients with cirrhosis complicated by moderate-to-severe gastroesophageal varices, who were hospitalized at the Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University between 1 December 2020 and 31 November 2022, were included in the study. The patients were divided into the propranolol and control groups based on whether they had received propranolol. Upon admission, the patients underwent tests on liver and kidney functions, electrolytes, and coagulation function, as well as abdominal ultrasonography and electrocardiography. In addition to conventional treatment, the patients were followed up after the use or non-use of propranolol for treatment and subsequently underwent reexamination of the aforementioned tests.
The propranolol group (26 patients) had an average baseline corrected QT (QTc) interval of 450.23 ± 37.18 ms, of which 14 patients (53.8%) exhibited QTc interval prolongation. Follow-up was continued for a median duration of 7.00 days after the administration of propranolol and conventional treatment. Electrocardiographic reexamination revealed a decrease in the QTc interval to 431.04 ± 34.64 ms (
In patients with cirrhosis complicated by QT interval prolongation, the short-term use of propranolol aids in correction of a long QT interval and provides positive therapeutic value for cirrhotic cardiomyopathy.