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QT Interval

Meaning

The QT interval is a fundamental electrocardiographic (ECG) measurement that precisely represents the time duration spanning from the very start of the Q wave to the precise end of the T wave, functionally reflecting the total time required for the entire ventricular myocardium to complete both depolarization and subsequent repolarization. This interval is a critical clinical marker for assessing intrinsic cardiac electrical stability, and its pathological prolongation is a significant, recognized risk factor for a potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmia known as Torsades de Pointes. Numerous pharmaceutical agents, including a subset of hormonal compounds, necessitate careful clinical monitoring due to their established potential to adversely affect this vital interval.