QT dispersion as a predictor for arrhythmias in patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction
Fahad Aziz1, Sujatha Doddi, Anshu Alok
1Jersey City Medical Center, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Jersey City, New jersey 07002, USA.
Aims And Objectives:
To study the effect of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and QT dispersion (QTd) in patients presenting with Acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
Methods:
This is a retrospective study conducted on patients admitted with the diagnosis of acute ST elevation myocardial infarction. In all 100 patients with acute myocardial infarction in one year were subjected to a complete evaluation in terms of history and examination. Besides routine investigations standard 12 lead ECG was evaluated in all cases on admission, after 4 hrs, 24 hrs, 48 hrs and on discharge.
Results:
The most common presenting symptoms were chest pain (88%) and dyspnea (50%). Tachycardia was seen in 56% while congestive heart failure was present in 29% patients. Patients who died had a higher QTd in comparison to patients who survived.
Conclusions:
Markers of autonomic regulation of heart like QTd provides valuable information about the future course of events in a patient following acute STEMI which can be utilized to plan the future course of management in patients especially predisposed to adverse and catastrophic outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
Dysrhythmias V: Evaluating Dysrhythmias
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias
Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies
Disturbances in Heart Rhythm
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...
Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations
Electrocardiogram
Three major waveforms are present in a typical ECG recording: the P wave, the QRS complex, and the T...

