QTc dispersion as a prognostic factor in intracerebral hemorrhage

QTc dispersion in the electrocardiogram (ECG) is a new important prognostic factor for many diseases, but its role in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is not clear. This study was performed to investigate the prognostic significance of QTc dispersion in the acute ICH patients. We studied the differences of QTc dispersion from the initial ECG in the ED between the survival to discharge and nonsurvival patients retrospectively. We found that the patients had lesser chance to survival to discharge if they had increased QTc dispersion, longer maximal QTc interval, lower Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), and brainstem involvement in the univariate analyses. The QTc dispersion and GCS were the statistically significant independent predictors in the multiple logistic analyses. Increased QTc dispersion in the initial ED electrocardiograph is an important prognostic factor for ICH patients. More attention to the disposition and intensive care should be given for these patients.