Aim
The prevalence of QTc prolongation in patients with cancer.
Research Overview
The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of QTc prolongation in consecutive patients on the oncology/haematology/palliative care inpatient ward who are reviewed by the palliative care team, using both a standard ECG print out and a manual calculation.
An electrocardiogram, or ECG, is a paper recording of the heart’s contractions. It shows the rate at which the heart is beating and whether it is beating regularly or irregularly. The QT interval on an ECG is a measure of part of each heart beat (contraction). The corrected QT (QTc) takes into account the rate at which the heart is beating. Abnormally long and short QTc intervals are associated with an increased risk for life threatening ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.
We will also document any QT risk factors and concomitant medications to assess the frequency of use of medications with the potential to prolong QT and whether there is any correlation between QTc prolongation and the use of drugs with the potential to prolong QT.
Approximately 384 participants will be recruited to the study across three sites in Australia.
Key Contact
Palliative Care Clinical Trials Team
p: 03 9416 0000
Project Team
Palliative Care Clinical Trials Team, Centre for Palliative Care, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne.
- A/Prof Jennifer Philip
- Dr Jennifer Weil
- Sally Kidd
- Rosetta Hart
- Prof Janet Hardy, Mater Research, Brisbane
Funding Source
Nil
Key Publications
Pending (trial still recruiting)