Sotalol prolongation of the QTC interval in hypertensive patients

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Abstract
The effect of oral sotalol on the heart rate-corrected QT interval (QTc) was studied in 33 hypertensive patients. Sotalol given once daily in doses of 160-640 mg prolonged the QTc interval in a concentration-dependent manner by up to 150 ms (P < 0.001) over presotalol levels. The prolongation did not correlate with the initial length of the QTc interval. In 7 patients with sotalol-prolonged QTc interval, the withdrawal of sotalol for 3 days shortened the interval to nearly its original length. The effect of sotalol on PQ and QRS times was minimal. Sotalol seems to differ from other .beta. antagonists in having clear amiodarone-like effects on the action potential of the heart after short- and long-term administration. The measuring of the QTc interval is recommended if high sotalol concentrations are expected, since the risk of cardiac arrhythmias may increase.