[SEASONAL VARIATION OF MICROVOLT T-WAVE ALTERNANS IN PATIENTS WITH CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND HEALTHY SUBJECTS]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Clinical Electrophysiology

Background:

• Microvolt T-wave alternans (MTWA) assessed via ECG dispersion mapping is a marker of myocardial electrical instability.
• Understanding seasonal variations in MTWA is crucial for accurate interpretation in clinical settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate seasonal variations in MTWA using ECG dispersion mapping.
• To compare MTWA patterns between healthy subjects and cardiovascular disease patients across different seasons.

Main Methods:

• ECG data from healthy individuals (Beirut, Moscow, German database) and cardiovascular disease patients (Beirut) were analyzed.
• MTWA was evaluated at T-wave beginning (Tbeg), T-wave maximum (Tmax), and T-wave end (Tend).
• Seasonal differences in MTWA parameters and their variations (Tmax-Tbeg, Tmax-Tend) were assessed.

Main Results:

• Healthy subjects exhibited no significant seasonal variation in MTWA.
• Cardiovascular disease patients demonstrated distinct seasonal MTWA variations, with peaks in winter and spring.
• Myocardial lesion correlated with increased Tbeg, Tmax, and Tend values compared to healthy controls.

Conclusions:

• Seasonal variations in MTWA are present in cardiovascular disease patients but not in healthy individuals.
• The observed seasonal patterns in cardiovascular disease patients necessitate consideration during clinical application of MTWA.
• ECG dispersion mapping reveals distinct seasonal influences on myocardial electrical properties in disease states.