Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 14, 2026

Confirmation of Myocardial Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury in Mice Using Surface Pad Electrocardiography
09:23

Confirmation of Myocardial Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury in Mice Using Surface Pad Electrocardiography

Published on: November 24, 2016

Early repolarization pattern associated with sudden cardiac death: long-term follow-up in patients with chronic heart

Yoshio Furukawa1, Takahisa Yamada, Takashi Morita

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Osaka General Medical Center, Osaka, Japan. frkwyso@hotmail.com

Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology
|February 13, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Early repolarization pattern (ERP) significantly increases the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). This finding highlights ERP as a crucial prognostic marker for SCD in CHF.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Electrophysiology
  • Heart Failure Research

Background:

  • Identifying chronic heart failure (CHF) patients at risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD) is critical.
  • Early repolarization pattern (ERP) is linked to ventricular fibrillation in non-structural heart disease patients and SCD in myocardial infarction survivors.
  • Limited data exists on ERP's prognostic value in CHF patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between early repolarization pattern (ERP) and the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).

Main Methods:

  • 132 consecutive outpatients with NYHA class I-III CHF and LVEF < 40% were enrolled.
  • Standard 12-lead ECGs were used to assess ERP (J-point elevation ≥ 0.1 mV in inferior/lateral leads).
  • Sudden cardiac death (SCD) was the primary endpoint, with a follow-up of 6.7 ± 3.5 years.

Main Results:

  • 16 patients presented with ERP at enrollment.
  • SCD occurred in 26 patients during follow-up.
  • Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed significantly higher SCD rates in patients with ERP (63% vs. 14%, P < 0.0001).
  • Multivariate Cox analysis identified ERP as an independent predictor of SCD (HR, 3.7; 95% CI, 1.6-8.6; P = 0.002).

Conclusions:

  • Early repolarization pattern, particularly in inferior leads, is associated with an elevated risk of sudden cardiac death in chronic heart failure patients.
Abstract

More Related Videos

A Research Method For Detecting Transient Myocardial Ischemia In Patients With Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome Using Continuous ST-segment Analysis18:11

A Research Method For Detecting Transient Myocardial Ischemia In Patients With Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome Using Continuous ST-segment Analysis

Published on: December 28, 2012

Related Concept Videos

Cardiac Action Potential01:30

Cardiac Action Potential

Cardiac action potentials are essential for proper heart function, enabling the rhythmic contractions needed for adequate blood circulation. Nodal cells and Purkinje fibers, specialized for electrical conduction, generate these action potentials.
The cardiac action potential process involves a series of phases characterized by the movement of ions across the cardiac cell membranes, leading to the depolarization and repolarization of the cardiac myocytes.
Ionic Basis of Cardiac Action Potentials
Electrophysiology of Normal Cardiac Rhythm01:19

Electrophysiology of Normal Cardiac Rhythm

The normal cardiac rhythm is a synchronized electrical activity that facilitates the regular and coordinated contraction of the heart muscle. This process is essential for efficient blood circulation throughout the body. The fundamental elements involved in establishing and maintaining this rhythm include the unique electrical properties of cardiac muscle cells, the sinoatrial (SA) node's pacemaker function, the specialized conducting system, and the ionic mechanisms underlying each phase of...
Correlation between ECG and Cardiac Cycle01:25

Correlation between ECG and Cardiac Cycle

The electrical signals recorded on an electrocardiogram (ECG) occur before the mechanical processes of contraction and relaxation during the cardiac cycle.
A cardiac action potential originates in the SA node and spreads throughout the atria and the AV node in approximately 0.03 seconds. This results in the P wave in an ECG and triggers atrial contraction. The action potential is then briefly slowed at the AV node, allowing the atria to contract and fill the ventricles with blood before...
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
Dysrhythmias IV: Characteristics of Bradyarrhythmias01:18

Dysrhythmias IV: Characteristics of Bradyarrhythmias

Bradyarrhythmias are cardiac rhythm disorders characterized by a slower-than-normal heart rate, typically defined as fewer than 60 beats per minute. Some of which are discussed here:Sinus BradycardiaSinus bradycardia presents a heart rate lower than 60 beats per minute, with a regular rhythm originating from the SA node. The ECG typically shows normal P waves preceding each QRS complex, a normal PR interval (0.12 to 0.20 seconds), and a normal QRS duration (0.06 to 0.10 seconds).First-Degree AV...
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy01:30

Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...