Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026

Analyzing Long-Term Electrocardiography Recordings to Detect Arrhythmias in Mice
Published on: May 23, 2021
Heritability of Tpeak-Tend interval and T-wave amplitude: a twin study
Christian Haarmark1, Kirsten O Kyvik, Esben Vedel-Larsen
1Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Background:
Tpeak-Tend interval (TpTe) and T-wave amplitude (Tamp) carry diagnostic and prognostic information regarding cardiac morbidity and mortality. Heart rate and QT interval are known to be heritable traits. The heritability of T-wave morphology parameters such as TpTe and Tamp is unknown. TpTe and Tamp were evaluated in a large sample of twins.
Methods And Results:
Twins from the GEMINAKAR study (611 pairs, 246 monozygotic, 365 dizygotic; mean age, 38±11 years; 49% men) who had an ECG performed during 1997 to 2000 were included. Tamp was measured in leads V1 and V5. Duration variables (RR interval, QTpeak and QTend interval) were measured and averaged over 3 consecutive beats in lead V5. TpTe was calculated as the QTend- and QTpeak-interval difference. Heritability was assessed using structural equation models adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index. All models were reducible to a model of additive genetics and unique environment. All variables had considerable genetic components. Adjusted heritability estimates were as follows: TpTe, 46%; Tamp lead V1, 34%; Tamp lead V5, 47%; RR interval, 55%; QT interval, 67%; and Bazett-corrected QT interval, 42%.
Conclusions:
RR interval, QT interval, Tamp, and TpTe interval are heritable ECG parameters.
Related Concept Videos
Behavioral Genetics and Its Designs
The primary methodologies used in behavior genetics include family studies, twin studies, and adoption studies, each providing unique...
Heritability
Comparing Experimental Results: Student's t-Test
Pedigree Analysis
Inheritance
Each gene exists in pairs, and the combination of these genes from both parents forms an individual's genotype. This genotype is a blueprint of potential traits. Examples of genotype traits...
Regression Toward the Mean