Related Experiment Videos
Beat-to-beat QT interval variability in coronary patients
1Institute of Physiology, Ljubljana University School of Medicine, Slovenia. bojan.vrtovec@siol.net
Journal of Electrocardiology
|May 20, 2000
Summary
Coronary patients without prior heart attack show higher QT interval variability (QTV), indicating altered ventricular repolarization. This finding suggests QTV may be an important indicator in diagnosing coronary artery disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Ventricular repolarization changes are known post-myocardial infarction.
- Data on ventricular repolarization in coronary patients without prior myocardial infarction is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess ventricular repolarization in coronary patients experiencing effort angina pectoris.
- To investigate QT interval variability (QTV) as a potential marker in this patient group.
Main Methods:
- Measured beat-to-beat QT interval variability (QTV) from 5-minute resting ECGs.
- Compared QTV in 26 men with effort angina (no prior MI) to 30 healthy controls.
- Utilized coronary angiography to assess coronary artery disease severity.
Main Results:
- Coronary patients exhibited significantly higher QTV compared to controls (P < .001).
- QT interval rate adaptation showed a significant correlation with coronary artery disease severity (P < .05).
Conclusions:
- Altered ventricular repolarization is present in coronary patients without prior myocardial infarction.
- Elevated QTV is associated with coronary heart disease, suggesting its potential as a diagnostic indicator.