The Measurement of the Q-T Interval of the Electrocardiogram

Abstract

The sources of error in determination of the beginning of QRS and the end of T during measurement of the Q-T duration are analyzed. An important error is confusion of an elevated U wave with the T wave, resulting in the diagnosis of a prolonged Q-T. In such cases, some of the precordial leads usually show a notch or kink between T and U which indicates approximately the end of T. If these criteria are used, the true corrected Q-T duration in hypopotassemia without hypocalcemia is not prolonged, but normal or shortened, corresponding to an earlier appearance of the second heart sound.