Methadone and the QTc Interval: Paucity of Clinically Significant Factors in a Retrospective Cohort.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:Methadone is associated with prolongation of the electrocardiographic QTc interval. QTc prolongation may be linked to cardiac dysrhythmia and sudden cardiac death. The rate of these events is unknown in methadone-maintained patients. METHODS:This retrospective cohort study of 749 patients with opioid use disorder receiving methadone maintenance therapy through a single safety-net hospital, queried the electronic health record for electrocardiogram results, demographics, methadone dose, and diagnostic codes consistent with cardiac conduction disorder (International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision [ICD-9] 426) and cardiac dysrhythmia (ICD-9 427). Factors associated with QTc interval were explored; Cox proportional-hazards regression models were used to analyze time to an event that may predispose to sudden cardiac death. RESULTS:One hundred thirty-four patients had an electrocardiogram while on methadone, 404 while off methadone, and 211 both while on and off methadone. Mean QTc interval while on methadone (436?ms, SD 36) was significantly greater than while off methadone (423?ms, SD 33). Age and methadone dose were weakly associated with increased QTc interval (P?

SUBMITTER: Bart G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5679071 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov/Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature