Psychotropic-Drug-induced QT Prolongation and ECG Monitoring in the Pediatric Population

Psychotropic-Drug-induced QT Prolongation and ECG Monitoring in the Pediatric Population

Electrocardiogram (ECG) Q-T prolongation is a cardiac electrophysiological disorder associated with the occurrence of arrhythmias potentially fatal. Several psychotropic drugs are associated with an increased risk of QT prolongation, which is why in clinical practice a baseline ECG is performed before a psychotropic drug is prescribed. However, there are no validated protocols establishing when to repeat this examination or describing clinical events when this examination should be repeated in clinical follow-up.

The study aims to investigate the incidence of QTc prolongation events as a side effect of chronic psychotropic drug administration. For this purpose, ECGs will be recorded and confounding factors of patients at the beginning of psychotropic therapy and after 3, 6 and 12 months will be analyzed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Admitted to psychiatry ward
• Starting a psychotropic drug acting on QT interval

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age >18aa
• History of administration of drug acting on QT interval in the 3 months prior