1
|
Yang J, Luo J, Li K, Li D, Lv T, Liu F, Liu Y, She F, He R, Zhang P. T-Wave Alternans Measured by 24-Hour Ambulatory Recordings Rather Than Exercise Stress Tests as a Risk Stratification Marker in Patients With Long QT Syndrome. J Am Heart Assoc 2024; 13:e033619. [PMID: 38979841 PMCID: PMC11292749 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.123.033619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few small-sample studies have quantified the T-wave alternans (TWA) value by 24-hour ambulatory recordings or exercise stress tests in patients with long QT syndrome (LQTS). The cutoff point of TWA ≥47 μV was based on patients with myocardial infarction. In our study, we aimed to (1) evaluate the association of TWA with life-threatening arrhythmic events (LAEs); (2) compare the predictive model of LAEs according to the TWA value measured by 24-hour ambulatory recordings and exercise stress tests; and (3) propose a cutoff point for the high risk of LAEs in patients with LQTS. METHODS AND RESULTS The study cohort included 110 patients with LQTS referred to our hospital, and the primary outcome was LAEs. Thirty-one patients with LQTS (31/110 [28.2%]) developed LAEs during the following 24 (12-47) months. Peak TWA value quantified from 12 leads by 24-hour ambulatory recordings in patients with LQTS with LAEs (LQTS-LAEs group) was significantly higher than LQTS without LAEs (LQTS-non-LAEs group) (64.0 [42.0-86.0] μV versus 43.0 [36.0-53.0] μV; P<0.01). There was no statistical difference in TWA value measured by exercise stress tests between the 2 groups (69.0 [54.5-127.5] μV versus 68.5 [53.3-99.8] μV; P=0.871). The new cutoff point of the peak TWA value measured by 24-hour ambulatory recordings was 55.5 μV, with a sensitivity of 75.0% and a specificity of 78.6%. A univariate Cox regression analysis revealed that TWA value ≥55.5 μV was a strong predictor of LAEs (hazard ratio [HR], 4.5 [2.1-9.6]; P<0.001]. A multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that TWA value ≥55.5 μV remained significant (HR, 2.7 [1.1-6.8]; P=0.034). CONCLUSIONS Peak TWA measured by 24-hour ambulatory recordings was a more favorable risk stratification marker than exercise stress tests for patients with LQTS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yang
- Department of CardiologyBeijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Jiangying Luo
- Department of CardiologyBeijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Kun Li
- Department of CardiologyBeijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Dan Li
- Department of CardiologyBeijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Tingting Lv
- Department of CardiologyBeijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Fulan Liu
- Department of CardiologyBeijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Yuanwei Liu
- Department of CardiologyBeijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Fei She
- Department of CardiologyBeijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Rong He
- Department of CardiologyBeijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Ping Zhang
- Department of CardiologyBeijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Duca ȘT, Roca M, Costache AD, Chetran A, Afrăsânie I, Miftode RȘ, Tudorancea I, Matei I, Ciorap RG, Mitu O, Bădescu MC, Iliescu-Halitchi D, Halițchi-Iliescu CO, Mitu F, Lionte C, Costache II. T-Wave Analysis on the 24 h Holter ECG Monitoring as a Predictive Assessment of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Myocardial Infarction: A Literature Review and Future Perspectives. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13051155. [PMID: 37240799 DOI: 10.3390/life13051155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Myocardial ischemia is a pathophysiological state characterized by inadequate perfusion of the myocardium, resulting in an imbalance between myocardial oxygen demand and supply. It is most commonly caused by coronary artery disease, in which atherosclerotic plaques lead to luminal narrowing and reduced blood flow to the heart. Myocardial ischemia can manifest as angina pectoris or silent myocardial ischemia and can progress to myocardial infarction or heart failure if left untreated. Diagnosis of myocardial ischemia typically involves a combination of clinical evaluation, electrocardiography and imaging studies. Electrocardiographic parameters, as assessed by 24 h Holter ECG monitoring, can predict the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with myocardial ischemia, independent of other risk factors. The T-waves in patients with myocardial ischemia have prognostic value for predicting major adverse cardiovascular events, and their electrophysiological heterogeneity can be visualized using various techniques. Combining the electrocardiographic findings with the assessment of myocardial substrate may offer a better picture of the factors that can contribute to cardiovascular death.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ștefania-Teodora Duca
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa", 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Department of Cardiology, "St. Spiridon" Emergency County Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Mihai Roca
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa", 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Department of Cardiovascular Rehabilitation, Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iasi, Romania
| | - Alexandru-Dan Costache
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa", 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Department of Cardiovascular Rehabilitation, Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iasi, Romania
| | - Adriana Chetran
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa", 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Department of Cardiology, "St. Spiridon" Emergency County Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Irina Afrăsânie
- Department of Cardiology, "St. Spiridon" Emergency County Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Radu-Ștefan Miftode
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa", 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Department of Cardiology, "St. Spiridon" Emergency County Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Ionuț Tudorancea
- Department of Cardiology, "St. Spiridon" Emergency County Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
- Department of Morpho-Functional Science II-Physiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa", 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Iulian Matei
- Department of Cardiology, "St. Spiridon" Emergency County Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Radu-George Ciorap
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medical Bioengineering, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa", 700145 Iasi, Romania
| | - Ovidiu Mitu
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa", 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Department of Cardiology, "St. Spiridon" Emergency County Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Minerva Codruța Bădescu
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa", 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Department of III Internal Medicine Clinic, "St. Spiridon" Emergency County Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Dan Iliescu-Halitchi
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa", 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Department of Cardiology, Arcadia Hospital, 700620 Iasi, Romania
| | - Codruța-Olimpiada Halițchi-Iliescu
- Department of Mother and Child Medicine-Pediatrics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa", 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Department of Pedriatics, Arcadia Hospital, 700620 Iasi, Romania
| | - Florin Mitu
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa", 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Department of Cardiovascular Rehabilitation, Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iasi, Romania
| | - Cătălina Lionte
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa", 700145 Iasi, Romania
- Department of Cardiology, Helicomed Hospital, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Irina-Iuliana Costache
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa", 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Department of Cardiology, "St. Spiridon" Emergency County Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Shah AJ, Weeks V, Lampert R, Bremner JD, Kutner M, Raggi P, Sun YV, Lewis TT, Levantsevych O, Kim YJ, Hammadah M, Alkhoder A, Wittbrodt M, Pearce BD, Ward L, Sheps D, Quyyumi AA, Vaccarino V. Early Life Trauma Is Associated With Increased Microvolt T-Wave Alternans During Mental Stress Challenge: A Substudy of Mental Stress Ischemia: Prognosis and Genetic Influences. J Am Heart Assoc 2022; 11:e021582. [PMID: 35167312 PMCID: PMC9075061 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.121.021582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Background Early life trauma has been associated with increased cardiovascular risk, but the arrhythmic implications are unclear. We hypothesized that in patients with coronary artery disease, early life trauma predicts increased arrhythmic risk during mental stress, measured by elevated microvolt T-wave alternans (TWA), a measure of repolarization heterogeneity and sudden cardiac death risk. Methods and Results In a cohort with stable coronary artery disease (NCT04123197), we examined early life trauma with the Early Trauma Inventory Self Report-Short Form. Participants underwent a laboratory-based mental stress speech task with Holter monitoring, as well as a structured psychiatric interview. We measured TWA during rest, mental stress, and recovery with ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring. We adjusted for sociodemographic factors, cardiac history, psychiatric comorbidity, and hemodynamic stress reactivity with multivariable linear regression models. We examined 320 participants with noise- and arrhythmia-free ECGs. The mean (SD) age was 63.8 (8.7) years, 27% were women, and 27% reported significant childhood trauma (Early Trauma Inventory Self Report-Short Form ≥10). High childhood trauma was associated with a multivariable-adjusted 17% increase in TWA (P=0.04) during stress, and each unit increase in the Early Trauma Inventory Self Report-Short Form total score was associated with a 1.7% higher stress TWA (P=0.02). The largest effect sizes were found with the emotional trauma subtype. Conclusions In a cohort with stable coronary artery disease, early life trauma, and in particular emotional trauma, is associated with increased TWA, a marker of increased arrhythmic risk, during mental stress. This association suggests that early trauma exposures may affect long-term sudden cardiac death risk during emotional triggers, although more studies are warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amit J. Shah
- Department of EpidemiologyRollins School of Public HealthEmory UniversityAtlantaGA
- Division of CardiologyDepartment of MedicineEmory UniversityAtlantaGA
- Atlanta Veterans Affairs Healthcare SystemDecaturGA
| | | | - Rachel Lampert
- Division of CardiologyDepartment of MedicineYale University School of MedicineNew HavenCT
| | - J. Douglas Bremner
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral SciencesSchool of MedicineEmory UniversityAtlantaGA
- Department of Psychiatry and Department of RadiologyEmory University, School of MedicineEmory UniversityAtlantaGA
| | - Michael Kutner
- Department of BiostatisticsRollins School of Public HealthEmory UniversityAtlantaGA
| | - Paolo Raggi
- Department of MedicineMazankowski Alberta Heart InstituteUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
| | - Yan V. Sun
- Department of EpidemiologyRollins School of Public HealthEmory UniversityAtlantaGA
| | - Tené T. Lewis
- Department of EpidemiologyRollins School of Public HealthEmory UniversityAtlantaGA
| | - Oleksiy Levantsevych
- Department of EpidemiologyRollins School of Public HealthEmory UniversityAtlantaGA
| | - Ye Ji Kim
- Department of EpidemiologyRollins School of Public HealthEmory UniversityAtlantaGA
| | - Muhammad Hammadah
- Department of EpidemiologyRollins School of Public HealthEmory UniversityAtlantaGA
- Division of CardiologyDepartment of MedicineEmory UniversityAtlantaGA
| | - Ayman Alkhoder
- Division of CardiologyDepartment of MedicineEmory UniversityAtlantaGA
| | - Matthew Wittbrodt
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral SciencesSchool of MedicineEmory UniversityAtlantaGA
| | - Brad D. Pearce
- Department of EpidemiologyRollins School of Public HealthEmory UniversityAtlantaGA
| | - Laura Ward
- Department of BiostatisticsRollins School of Public HealthEmory UniversityAtlantaGA
| | - David Sheps
- Department of EpidemiologyUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFL
| | - Arshed A. Quyyumi
- Division of CardiologyDepartment of MedicineEmory UniversityAtlantaGA
| | - Viola Vaccarino
- Department of EpidemiologyRollins School of Public HealthEmory UniversityAtlantaGA
- Division of CardiologyDepartment of MedicineEmory UniversityAtlantaGA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Liu J, Fu Z, Gong Y, Xia L. Investigating two kinds of cellular alternans and corresponding TWA induced by impaired calcium cycling in myocardial ischemia. MATHEMATICAL BIOSCIENCES AND ENGINEERING : MBE 2021; 18:7648-7665. [PMID: 34814268 DOI: 10.3934/mbe.2021379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The utility of T wave alternans (TWA) in identifying arrhythmia risk has been demonstrated. During myocardial ischemia (MI), TWA could be induced by cellular alternans. However, the relationship between cellular alternans patterns and TWA patterns in MI has not been investigated thoroughly. METHODS We set MI conditions to simulate alternans. Either prolonging Ca2+ release or increasing spark-induced sparks (secondary sparks) can give rise to different patterns of APD alternans and TWA. In addition, different ischemic zones and reduced conduction velocity are also considered in one dimensional simulation. RESULTS Delay of Ca2+ release can produce discordant Ca2+-driven alternans in single cell simulation. Increasing secondary sparks leads to concordant alternans. Correspondingly, morphology and magnitude of TWA vary in two different cellular alternans. Epi ischemia results in alternans concentrating in the first half of T wave. Endo and transmural ischemia lead to fluctuations in the second half of T wave. In addition, slowing conduction velocity has no effect on TWA magnitude. CONCLUSION Specific ionic channel dysfunction and ischemic zones affect TWA patterns.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Liu
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Zhenyin Fu
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Yinglan Gong
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Ling Xia
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Microvolt T-wave alternans at the end of surgery is associated with postoperative mortality in cardiac surgery patients. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17351. [PMID: 31758018 PMCID: PMC6874567 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53760-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Microvolt T-wave alternans (MTWA), which reflects electrical dispersion of repolarization, is known to be associated with arrhythmia or sudden cardiac death in high risk patients. In this study we investigated the relationship between MTWA and postoperative mortality in 330 cardiac surgery patients. Electrocardiogram, official national data and electric chart were analysed to provide in-hospital and mid-term outcome. MTWA at the end of surgery was significantly associated with in-hospital mortality in both univariate analysis (OR = 27.378, 95% CI 5.616-133.466, p < 0.001) and multivariate analysis (OR = 59.225, 95% CI 6.061-578.748, p < 0.001). Cox proportional hazards model revealed MTWA at the end of surgery was independently associated with mid-term mortality (HR = 4.337, 95% CI 1.594-11.795). The area under the curve of the model evaluating MTWA at the end of surgery was 0.764 (95% CI, 0.715-0.809) and it increased to 0.929 (95% CI, 0.896-0.954) when combined with the EuroSCORE II. MTWA positive at the end of surgery had a 60-fold increase in in-hospital mortality and a 4-fold increase in mid-term mortality. Moreover, MTWA at the end of surgery could predict in-hospital mortality and this predictability is more robust when combined with the EuroSCORE II.
Collapse
|
6
|
Takasugi N, Matsuno H, Takasugi M, Shinoda K, Watanabe T, Ito H, Okura H, Verrier RL. Importance of over-reading ambulatory ECG-based microvolt T-wave alternans to eliminate three main sources of measurement error. Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol 2019; 24:e12670. [PMID: 31241245 DOI: 10.1111/anec.12670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ambulatory electrocardiogram (ECG)-based microvolt T-wave alternans values measured by the modified moving average method (MMA-TWA) can be disrupted by T-wave changes that mimic true repolarization alternans. METHODS We investigated potential sources of measurement error by studying 19 healthy subjects (12 men; median age, 25) free of known heart disease with 36-month follow-up to establish freedom from significant arrhythmia or syncope. All participants underwent 24-hr continuous 12-lead ECG monitoring. Causes of automated MMA-TWA ≥42 µV episodes were classified based on visual inspection. RESULTS A total of 2,189 episodes of automated MMA-TWA episodes ≥42 µV were observed in all subjects (peak MMA-TWA: median, 94 μV; interquartile range, 81-112 μV). All episodes included one or more beats with T-wave deformation which lacked "repeating ABAB pattern" and therefore were identified as TWA measurement error. Causes of such error were categorized as: (a) artifact [72.6% (1,589/2,189), observed in 19 (100%) subjects], more frequently in limb than precordial leads; (b) T-wave changes due to changes in heart/body position [25.5% (559/2,189), observed in 14 (73.7%) subjects], frequently observed in leads V1-2; and (c) postextrasystolic T-wave changes [1.9% (41/2,189), observed in 2 (10.5%) subjects]. CONCLUSIONS Relying only on automated MMA-TWA values obtained during ambulatory ECG monitoring can lead to incorrect measurement of TWA. Our findings offer the potential to reduce false-positive TWA results and to achieve more accurate detection of true repolarization alternans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Richard L Verrier
- Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Arsenos P, Gatzoulis KA, Dilaveris P, Sideris S, Tousoulis D. T wave alternans extracted from 30-minute short resting Holter ECG recordings predicts mortality in heart failure. J Electrocardiol 2018; 51:588-591. [PMID: 29996995 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2018.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We extracted T Wave Alternans (TWA) from a 30 minute Short Resting Holter ECG (SRH ECG) in the supine position, as a Total Mortality (TM) predictor in Heart Failure (HF). METHODS Signals from 146 HF patients (LVEF = 33 ± 10%), were analyzed with Modified Moving Average method. After 42.1 months, 26 patients died. RESULTS (Deceased vs Living group): TWA:31 ± 18 μV vs 25 ± 13 μV(p = 0.05), LVEF:32 ± 10% vs 34 ± 9% (p = 0.5), Heart Rate:73 ± 11 bpm vs 69 ± 12 bpm (p = 0.2), SDNN/HRV:45 ± 42 ms vs 41 ± 29 ms (p = 0.4), QRS:123 ± 26 ms vs 119 ± 29 ms (p = 0.5).Cox regression model adjusted for TWA, LVEF and QRS, revealed that the TWA was an independent TM predictor (H.R.: 1.022, 95% C.I.: 0.999-1.046, p = 0.05).The TWA ≥ 42 μV demonstrated HR: 2.521, (95% C.I.: 0.982-6.472, p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In severely affected HF patients, TWA from a SRH ECG may be present even during slow resting heart rates and proved to be an important and independent TM predictor. The SRH ECG recording is an efficient and fast method for mortality risk evaluation in HF patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Petros Arsenos
- First Department of Cardiology and Electrophysiology Laboratory, Hippokration General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian, University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece; Arsenos Heart and Biosignals Lab., Avlonas, Attica, Greece.
| | - Konstantinos A Gatzoulis
- First Department of Cardiology and Electrophysiology Laboratory, Hippokration General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian, University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
| | - Polychronis Dilaveris
- First Department of Cardiology and Electrophysiology Laboratory, Hippokration General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian, University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
| | - Skevos Sideris
- State Department of Cardiology, Hippokration General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Tousoulis
- First Department of Cardiology and Electrophysiology Laboratory, Hippokration General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian, University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Yamada S, Yoshihisa A, Sato Y, Sato T, Kamioka M, Kaneshiro T, Oikawa M, Kobayashi A, Suzuki H, Ishida T, Takeishi Y. Utility of heart rate turbulence and T-wave alternans to assess risk for readmission and cardiac death in hospitalized heart failure patients. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2018; 29:1257-1264. [PMID: 29777559 DOI: 10.1111/jce.13639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heart failure (HF) patients have a higher risk of recurrent HF and cardiac death, and electrical remodeling is considered to be an important factor for HF progression. The present study aimed to validate the utility of electrocardiogram and Holter monitoring for the risk stratification of HF patients. METHODS Our study comprised 215 patients (144 males, mean age 62 years) who had been hospitalized due to acute decompensated HF. Electrocardiogram (QRS duration and QTc interval) and 24-hour Holter monitoring (heart rate variability, heart rate turbulence, and T-wave alternans [TWA]) were performed in stable condition before discharge. The clinical characteristics and outcomes were then investigated. RESULTS During a median follow-up period of 2.7 years, there were 83 (38.6%) cardiac events (rehospitalization due to worsening HF [n = 51] or cardiac death [n = 32]). The patients with cardiac events had a lower turbulence slope (TS) and higher TWA compared to those without cardiac events (TS, 3.0 ± 5.5 ms/RR vs. 5.3 ± 5.6 ms/RR, P = 0.001; TWA, 66.1 ± 19.6 μV vs. 54.7 ± 15.1 μV, P < 0.001). Univariable analysis showed that TS, TWA, QRS duration, and QTc interval were associated with cardiac events (P = 0.004, P < 0.001, P = 0.037, and P = 0.024, respectively), while the multivariable analysis after the adjustment of multiple confounders showed that TS and TWA were independent predictive factors of cardiac events with a hazard ratio of 0.936 and 1.015 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.860-0.974, P = 0.006; and 95% CI: 1.003-1.027, P = 0.016), respectively. CONCLUSION The measurement of TS and TWA is useful for assessing risk for rehospitalization and cardiac death in HF patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shinya Yamada
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Akiomi Yoshihisa
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan.,Department of Advanced Cardiac Therapeutics, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Yu Sato
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Takamasa Sato
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Masashi Kamioka
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Takashi Kaneshiro
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan.,Department of Arrhythmia and Cardiac Pacing, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Masayoshi Oikawa
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Atsushi Kobayashi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Suzuki
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Takafumi Ishida
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Yasuchika Takeishi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Tseng KK, Fu L, Liu L, Lee D, Wang C, Li L, Meng Y. Human identification with electrocardiogram. ENTERP INF SYST-UK 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/17517575.2018.1450526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kuo-Kun Tseng
- The Department of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lean Fu
- The Department of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Linlin Liu
- The Department of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dachao Lee
- The Department of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chao Wang
- The Department of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lingao Li
- School of Data and Computer Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yao Meng
- The Department of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Martin-Yebra A, Monasterio V, Cygankiewicz I, Bayes-de-Luna A, Caiani EG, Laguna P, Martinez JP. Post-Ventricular Premature Contraction Phase Correction Improves the Predictive Value of Average T-Wave Alternans in Ambulatory ECG Recordings. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2018; 65:635-644. [PMID: 29461965 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2017.2711645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We proposed and evaluated a method for correcting possible phase shifts provoked by the presence of ventricular premature contractions (VPCs) for a better assessment of T-wave alternans (TWA). Methods: First, we synthesized ECG signals with artificial TWA in the presence of different noise sources. Then, we assessed the prognostic value for sudden cardiac death (SCD) of the long-term average of TWA amplitude (the index of average alternans, ) in ambulatory ECG signals from congestive heart failure (CHF) and evaluated whether it is sensitive to the presence of VPCs. RESULTS The inclusion of the phase correction after VPC in the processing always improved estimation accuracy of the under different noisy conditions and regardless of the number of the VPCs included in the sequence. It also presented a positive impact on the prognostic value of with increased hazard ratios (from 17% to 29%, depending of the scenario) in comparison to the noninclusion of this step. CONCLUSION The proposed methodology for estimation, which corrects for the possible phase reversal on TWA after the presence of VPCs, represents a robust TWA estimation approach with a significant impact on the prognostic value of for SCD stratification in CHF patients. SIGNIFICANCE An accurate TWA estimation has a potential direct clinical impact on noninvasive SCD stratification, allowing better identification of patients at higher risk and helping clinicians in adopting the most appropriate therapeutic strategy.
Collapse
|
11
|
Ayesta A, Martínez-Sellés H, Bayés de Luna A, Martínez-Sellés M. Prediction of sudden death in elderly patients with heart failure. J Geriatr Cardiol 2018; 15:185-192. [PMID: 29662512 PMCID: PMC5895958 DOI: 10.11909/j.issn.1671-5411.2018.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Revised: 02/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Most heart failure (HF) related mortality is due to sudden cardiac death (SCD) and worsening HF, particularly in the case of reduced ejection fraction. Predicting and preventing SCD is an important goal but most works include no or few patients with advanced age, and the prevention of SCD in elderly patients with HF is still controversial. A recent reduction in the annual rate of SCD has been recently described but it is not clear if this is also true in advanced age patients. Age is associated with SCD, although physicians frequently have the perception that elderly patients with HF die mainly of pump failure, underestimating the importance of SCD. Other clinical variables that have been associated to SCD are symptoms, New York Heart Association functional class, ischemic cause, and comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, renal dysfunction and diabetes). Some test results that should also be considered are left ventricular ejection fraction and diameters, natriuretic peptides, non-sustained ventricular tachycardias and autonomic abnormalities. The combination of all these markers is probably the best option to predict SCD. Different risk scores have been described and, although there are no specific ones for elderly populations, most include age as a risk predictor and some were developed in populations with mean age > 65 years. Finally, it is important to stress that these scores should be able to predict any type of SCD as, although most are due to tachyarrhythmias, bradyarrhythmias also play a role, particularly in the case of the elderly.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Ayesta
- Cardiology Department, Hospital Universitario del Sureste, Arganda del Rey, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Manuel Martínez-Sellés
- Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
- Cardiology Department, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, CIVERCV, Universidad Europea, Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abstract
The Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention estimates that 5.7 million adults in the United States suffer from heart failure and 1 in 9 deaths in 2009 cited heart failure as a contributing cause. Almost 50% of patients who are diagnosed with heart failure die within 5 years of diagnosis. Cardiovascular disease is a public health burden. The prognosis of patients with heart failure has improved significantly. However, the risk for death remains high. Managing sudden death risk and intervening appropriately with primary or secondary prevention strategies are of paramount importance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Basil Saour
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 420 E Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Bryan Smith
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 420 E Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Clyde W Yancy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 420 E Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
The Application of Ambulatory Electrocardiographically-Based T-Wave Alternans in Patients with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia/Cardiomyopathy. Can J Cardiol 2016; 32:1355.e15-1355.e22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2016.01.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2013] [Revised: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 01/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
|
14
|
Exercise-induced quantitative microvolt T-wave alternans in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. J Electrocardiol 2016; 50:184-190. [PMID: 27916321 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2016.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) have elevated risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD). Our study aimed to quantitatively characterize microvolt T-wave alternans (TWA), a potential arrhythmia risk stratification tool, in this HCM patient population. METHODS TWA was analyzed with the quantitative modified moving average (MMA) in 132 HCM patients undergoing treadmill exercise testing, grouped according to Maron score risk factors as high-risk (H-Risk, n=67,), or low-risk (L-Risk, n=65, without these risk factors). RESULTS TWA levels were much higher for the H-Risk than for the L-Risk group (101.40±75.61 vs. 54.35±46.26μV; p<0.0001). A 53μV cut point, set by receiver operator characteristic (ROC), identified H-Risk patients (82% sensitivity, 69% specificity). CONCLUSIONS High TWA levels were found for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients. Abnormal TWA associated with major risk factors for SCD: non-sustained ventricular tachycardia on Holter (p=0.001), family history of SCD (p=0.006), septal thickness ≥30mm (p<0.001); and inadequate blood pressure response to effort (p=0.04).
Collapse
|
15
|
Lewek J, Ptaszynski P, Klingenheben T, Cygankiewicz I. The clinical value of T-wave alternans derived from Holter monitoring. Europace 2016; 19:529-534. [DOI: 10.1093/europace/euw292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 08/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
|
16
|
Beat-to-beat T-wave alternans detection using the Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition method. Comput Biol Med 2016; 77:1-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2016.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Revised: 07/03/2016] [Accepted: 07/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
|
17
|
Disertori M, Gulizia MM, Casolo G, Delise P, Di Lenarda A, Di Tano G, Lunati M, Mestroni L, Salerno-Uriarte J, Tavazzi L. Improving the appropriateness of sudden arrhythmic death primary prevention by implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy in patients with low left ventricular ejection fraction. Point of view. J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) 2016; 17:245-55. [PMID: 26895401 PMCID: PMC4768631 DOI: 10.2459/jcm.0000000000000368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Revised: 01/10/2016] [Accepted: 01/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
It is generally accepted that the current guidelines for the primary prevention of sudden arrhythmic death, which are based on ejection fraction, do not allow the optimal selection of patients with low left ventricular ejection fraction of ischemic and nonischemic etiology for implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator. Ejection fraction alone is limited in both sensitivity and specificity. An analysis of the risk of sudden arrhythmic death with a combination of multiple tests (ejection fraction associated with one or more arrhythmic risk markers) could partially compensate for these limitations. We propose a polyparametric approach for defining the risk of sudden arrhythmic death using ejection fraction in combination with other clinical and arrhythmic risk markers (i.e. late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance, T-wave alternans, programmed ventricular stimulation, autonomic tone, and genetic testing) that have been validated in nonrandomized trials. In this article, we examine these approaches to identify three subsets of patients who cannot be comprehensively assessed by the current guidelines: patients with ejection fraction of 35% or less and a relatively low risk of sudden arrhythmic death despite the ejection fraction value; patients with ejection fraction of 35% or less and high competitive risk of death due to evolution of heart failure or noncardiac causes; and patients with ejection fraction between 35 and 45% with relatively high risk of sudden arrhythmic death despite the ejection fraction value.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Arrhythmias, Cardiac/etiology
- Arrhythmias, Cardiac/mortality
- Arrhythmias, Cardiac/physiopathology
- Arrhythmias, Cardiac/prevention & control
- Death, Sudden, Cardiac/etiology
- Death, Sudden, Cardiac/prevention & control
- Defibrillators, Implantable
- Humans
- Primary Prevention/methods
- Stroke Volume/physiology
- Ventricular Dysfunction, Left/complications
- Ventricular Dysfunction, Left/physiopathology
- Ventricular Dysfunction, Left/therapy
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Disertori
- Cardiology Department, S. Chiara Hospital – Healthcare Research and Innovation Program, PAT-FBK, Trento
| | | | | | - Pietro Delise
- Division of Cardiology, Pederzoli Hospital, Peschiera del Garda (VR)
| | - Andrea Di Lenarda
- Cardiovascular Center, Azienda Servizi Sanitari N.1 – University of Trieste, Trieste
| | | | - Maurizio Lunati
- Cardiology Department, Niguarda Ca’ Granda Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | - Luisa Mestroni
- Cardiovascular Institute, University of Colorado Denver AMC, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Jorge Salerno-Uriarte
- Department of Heart Science, Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, University of Insubria, Varese
| | - Luigi Tavazzi
- GVM, Maria Cecilia Hospital, Care and Research – ES Health Science Foundation, Cotignola (RA), Italy
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Lip GYH, Heinzel FR, Gaita F, Juanatey JRG, Le Heuzey JY, Potpara T, Svendsen JH, Vos MA, Anker SD, Coats AJ, Haverkamp W, Manolis AS, Chung MK, Sanders P, Pieske B. European Heart Rhythm Association/Heart Failure Association joint consensus document on arrhythmias in heart failure, endorsed by the Heart Rhythm Society and the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society. Eur J Heart Fail 2015; 17:848-74. [PMID: 26293171 DOI: 10.1002/ejhf.338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
|
19
|
Lip GYH, Heinzel FR, Gaita F, Juanatey JRG, Le Heuzey JY, Potpara T, Svendsen JH, Vos MA, Anker SD, Coats AJ, Haverkamp W, Manolis AS, Chung MK, Sanders P, Pieske B, Gorenek B, Lane D, Boriani G, Linde C, Hindricks G, Tsutsui H, Homma S, Brownstein S, Nielsen JC, Lainscak M, Crespo-Leiro M, Piepoli M, Seferovic P, Savelieva I. European Heart Rhythm Association/Heart Failure Association joint consensus document on arrhythmias in heart failure, endorsed by the Heart Rhythm Society and the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society. Europace 2015; 18:12-36. [PMID: 26297713 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euv191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
|
20
|
Abstract
In patients with diabetes mellitus, around 50% of deaths due to cardiovascular causes are sudden cardiac deaths. The prevalence of diabetes in cohorts with chronic heart failure is increasing, and while sudden cardiac death is an increasingly rare mode of death in chronic heart failure patients as a whole, the risk of this outcome remains high in those with diabetes. This review summarises the current knowledge on the incidence of sudden cardiac death in patients with diabetes and chronic heart failure, before discussing the causes of the excess risk seen in those with these coexistent conditions. We then describe current strategies for risk stratification and prevention of sudden cardiac death in these patients before discussing the priorities for further study in this area.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Mn Walker
- Division of Cardiovascular and Diabetes Research, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine (LICAMM), University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Richard M Cubbon
- Division of Cardiovascular and Diabetes Research, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine (LICAMM), University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Chen J, Lin Y, Yu J, Chen W, Xu Z, Yang Z, Zeng C, Li W, Lai X, Lu Q, Zhou J, Tian B, Xu J, Lin Y, Du Z, Zhang A. Changes of Virtual Planar QRS and T Vectors Derived from Holter in the Populations with and without Diabetes Mellitus. Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol 2015; 21:69-81. [PMID: 25940734 PMCID: PMC6931701 DOI: 10.1111/anec.12276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Aims Research related to type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and parameters of electrocardiography (ECG) was limited. Patients with and without DM (NDM) were randomly enrolled in a study to exploit the influence of DM on planar QRS and T vectors derived from the Virtual Holter process. Methods A total of 216 (NDM) and 127 DM patients were consecutively and randomly recruited. We selected a 1‐minute length of ECG, which was scheduled for analysis at 4 AM. After a series of calculating algorisms, we received the virtual planar vector parameters. Results Patients with DM were elderly (65.61 ± 12.08 vs 59.41 ± 16.86 years, P < 0.001); higher morbidity of hypertension (76.38% vs 58.14%, P < 0.001) and coronary artery disease (44.09% vs 32.41%, P = 0.03); thicker interventricular septum (10.92 ± 1.77 vs 10.08 ± 1.96 mm, P < 0.001) and left ventricular posterior wall (9.84 ± 1.38 vs 9.39 ± 1.66 mm, P = 0.03); higher lipid levels and average heart rate (66.67 ± 12.04 vs 61.87 ± 13.36 bpm, P < 0.01); higher angle of horizontal QRS vector (HQRSA, –2.87 ± 48.48 vs –19.00 ± 40.18 degrees, P < 0.01); lower maximal magnitude of horizontal T vector (HTV, 2.33 ± 1.47 vs 2.88 ± 1.89 mm, P = 0.01) and maximal magnitude of right side T vector (2.77 ± 1.55 vs 3.27 ± 1.92 mm, P = 0.03), and no difference in angle of frontal QRS‐T vector (FQRSTA, 32.77 ± 54.20 vs 28.39 ± 52.87 degrees, P = 0.74) compared with patients having NDM. After adjusting for confounding factors, DM was significantly effective on FQRSTA (regression coefficient –40.0, 95%CI –66.4 to –13.6, P < 0.01), HQRSA (regression coefficient 22.6, 95%CI 2.5 to 42.8, P = 0.03), and HTV (regression coefficient 0.9, 95%CI 0.2 to 1.7, P = 0.01). Confounding factors included: sex, 2‐hour postprandial blood glucose, smoking, triglyceride, apolipoprotein A, creatinine, left ventricular ejection fraction, and average heart rate. Conclusions The risk factors of DM and lipid metabolism abnormality particularly apolipoprotein A significantly modified parameters of virtual planar QRS and T vector, including frontal QRS‐T angle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jia Chen
- First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Second Department of Cardiology, Guangdong No. 2 Provincial People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yubi Lin
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangdong General hospital, Guangzhou, 510080, P.R., China
| | - Jian Yu
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wanqun Chen
- Medical College of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhe Xu
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun-Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenzhen Yang
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chuqian Zeng
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenfeng Li
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoshu Lai
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiji Lu
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingwen Zhou
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bixia Tian
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Xu
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanping Lin
- Medical College of Guangdong Province, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Zuoyi Du
- Second Department of Cardiology, Guangdong No. 2 Provincial People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Aidong Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Quan XQ, Zhou HL, Ruan L, Lv JG, Yao JH, Yao F, Huang K, Zhang CT. Ability of ambulatory ECG-based T-wave alternans to modify risk assessment of cardiac events: a systematic review. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2014; 14:198. [PMID: 25528490 PMCID: PMC4289555 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2261-14-198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2014] [Accepted: 12/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Exercise-based spectral T-wave alternans (TWA) has been proposed as a noninvasive tool-identifying patients at risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) and cardiac mortality. Prior studies have indicated that ambulatory electrocardiogram (AECG)-based TWA is an important alternative platform to exercise for risk stratification of cardiac events. This study sought to review data regarding 24-hour AECG-based TWA and to discuss its potential role in risk stratification of fatal cardiac events across a series of patient risk profiles. Methods Prospective clinical studies of the predictive value of AECG-based TWA obtained with daily activity published between January 1990 and November 2014 were retrieved. Major endpoints included composite endpoint of SCD, cardiac mortality, and severe arrhythmic events. Results Data were accumulated from 5 studies involving a total of 1,588 patients, including 317 positive and 1,271 negative TWA results. Compared with the negative group, positive group showed increased rates of SCD (hazard ratio [HR]: 7.49, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.65 to 21.15), cardiac mortality (HR: 4.75, 95% CI: 0.42 to 53.55), and composite endpoint (SCD, cardiac mortality, and severe arrhythmic events, HR: 5.94, 95% CI: 1.80 to 19.63). For the 4 studies evaluating TWA measured using the modified moving average method, the HR associated with a positive versus negative TWA result was 9.51 (95% CI: 4.99 to 18.11) for the composite endpoint. Conclusions The positive group of AECG-based TWA has a nearly six-fold risk of severe outcomes compared with the negative group. Therefore, AECG-based TWA provides an accurate means of predicting fatal cardiac events. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2261-14-198) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Cun-Tai Zhang
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Verrier RL, Malik M. Quantitative T-wave alternans analysis for guiding medical therapy: an underexploited opportunity. Trends Cardiovasc Med 2014; 25:201-13. [PMID: 25541329 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcm.2014.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2014] [Revised: 10/09/2014] [Accepted: 10/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Reducing the toll of sudden cardiac death (SCD) remains a major challenge in cardiology, as it is the leading cause of adult mortality in the industrially developed world, claiming 310,000 lives annually in the United States alone. The main contemporary noninvasive index of cardiovascular risk, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), has not proved adequately reliable, as the majority of individuals who die suddenly have relatively preserved cardiac mechanical function. Monitoring of T-wave alternans (TWA), a beat-to-beat fluctuation in ST-segment or T-wave morphology, is an attractive approach to risk stratification on both scientific and clinical grounds, as this ECG phenomenon has been shown using the FDA-cleared Spectral and Modified Moving Average methods to assess risk for cardiovascular mortality including SCD in studies enrolling >12,000 individuals with depressed or preserved LVEF. The evidence supporting TWA as a therapeutic target is reviewed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard L Verrier
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA.
| | - Marek Malik
- St. Paul׳s Cardiac Electrophysiology, University of London, and Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Goya-Esteban R, Barquero-Pérez O, Blanco-Velasco M, Caamaño-Fernández AJ, García-Alberola A, Rojo-Álvarez JL. Nonparametric signal processing validation in T-wave alternans detection and estimation. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2014; 61:1328-38. [PMID: 24658256 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2014.2304565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Although a number of methods have been proposed for T-Wave Alternans (TWA) detection and estimation, their performance strongly depends on their signal processing stages and on their free parameters tuning. The dependence of the system quality with respect to the main signal processing stages in TWA algorithms has not yet been studied. This study seeks to optimize the final performance of the system by successive comparisons of pairs of TWA analysis systems, with one single processing difference between them. For this purpose, a set of decision statistics are proposed to evaluate the performance, and a nonparametric hypothesis test (from Bootstrap resampling) is used to make systematic decisions. Both the temporal method (TM) and the spectral method (SM) are analyzed in this study. The experiments were carried out in two datasets: first, in semisynthetic signals with artificial alternant waves and added noise; second, in two public Holter databases with different documented risk of sudden cardiac death. For semisynthetic signals (SNR = 15 dB), after the optimization procedure, a reduction of 34.0% (TM) and 5.2% (SM) of the power of TWA amplitude estimation errors was achieved, and the power of error probability was reduced by 74.7% (SM). For Holter databases, appropriate tuning of several processing blocks, led to a larger intergroup separation between the two populations for TWA amplitude estimation. Our proposal can be used as a systematic procedure for signal processing block optimization in TWA algorithmic implementations.
Collapse
|
25
|
Yodogawa K, Shimizu W. Noninvasive risk stratification of lethal ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death after myocardial infarction. J Arrhythm 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.joa.2014.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
|
26
|
Bini S, Burattini L. Quantitative characterization of repolarization alternans in terms of amplitude and location: What information from different methods? Biomed Signal Process Control 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bspc.2013.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
|
27
|
Prognostic value of average T-wave alternans and QT variability for cardiac events in MADIT-II patients. J Electrocardiol 2013; 46:480-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2013.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
28
|
Shimada H, Nishizaki M, Fujii H, Yamawake N, Fukamizu S, Sakurada H, Hiraoka M. Ambulatory electrocardiogram-based T-wave alternans in patients with vasospastic angina during asymptomatic periods. Am J Cardiol 2012; 110:1446-51. [PMID: 22858183 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2012.06.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2012] [Revised: 06/25/2012] [Accepted: 06/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
T-wave alternans (TWA) is a useful method for evaluating repolarization abnormalities and as a predictor of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Although life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias are occasionally observed during ischemic attacks in patients with vasospastic angina (VSA), there have been no studies to detect repolarization abnormalities using TWA analysis in these patients during the asymptomatic phase. The aim of this study was to analyze modified moving average (MMA) TWA using Holter recordings in 40 patients with VSA and in 40 control subjects. The incidence of positive TWA was higher in the VSA group than in the control group (24 of 40 [60%] vs 0 of 40 [0%], p <0.01). The value of the maximum MMA TWA was also greater in the VSA group than in the control group (68.6 ± 21 vs 34.0 ± 11 μV, p <0.01). In the VSA group, although there was no significant difference in maximum MMA TWA values between patients with multiple- and single-vessel spasm, patients with ventricular tachycardias had higher values than those without (83.0 ± 15 vs 65.9 ± 20 μV, p <0.05). Patients taking calcium channel blockers exhibited decreased values of maximum MMA TWA compared with subjects not taking these drugs (73.8 ± 18 vs 59.5 ± 21 μV, p <0.05). In conclusion, high values and incidences of TWA events were observed in patients with VSA. In the VSA group, maximum values of MMA TWA were high in patients with ventricular tachycardias but decreased in those taking calcium channel blockers. The results suggest that the patients with VSA during asymptomatic phases exhibit repolarization abnormalities leading to a potential risk for life-threatening arrhythmias.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Shimada
- Department of Cardiology, Yokohama Minami Kyosai Hospital, Yokohama, Japan.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Li-na R, Xin-hui F, Li-dong R, Jian G, Yong-quan W, Guo-xian Q. Ambulatory ECG-based T-wave alternans and heart rate turbulence can predict cardiac mortality in patients with myocardial infarction with or without diabetes mellitus. Cardiovasc Diabetol 2012; 11:104. [PMID: 22950360 PMCID: PMC3458961 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2840-11-104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2012] [Accepted: 08/28/2012] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Many patients who survive a myocardial infarction (MI) remain at risk of sudden cardiac death despite revascularization and optimal medical treatment. We used the modified moving average (MMA) method to assess the utility of T-wave alternans (TWA) and heart rate turbulence (HRT) as risk markers in MI patients with or without diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods We prospectively enrolled 248 consecutive patients: 96 with MI (post-MI patients); 77 MI with DM (post-MI + DM patients); 75 controls without cardiovascular disease (group control). Both TWA and HRT were measured on ambulatory electrocardiograms (AECGs). HRT was assessed by two parameters ─ turbulence onset (TO) and turbulence slope (TS). HRT was considered positive when both TO ≥0% and TS ≤2.5 ms/R-R interval were met. The endpoint was cardiac mortality. Results TWA values differed significantly between MI and controls. Post-MI + DM patients had higher TWA values than post-MI patients (58 ± 21 μV VS 52 ± 18 μV, P = 0.029). Impaired HRT--increased TO and decreased TS were observed in MI patients with or without DM. During follow-up of 578 ± 146 days, cardiac death occurred in ten patients and three of them suffered sudden cardiac death (SCD). Multivariate analysis determined that a HRT-positive outcome [HR (95% CI): 5.01, 1.33–18.85; P = 0.017], as well as the combination of abnormal TWA (≥47 μV) and positive HRT had significant association with the endpoint [HR (95% CI): 9.08, 2.21–37.2; P = 0.002)]. Conclusion This study indicates that AECGs-based TWA and HRT can predict cardiac mortality in MI patients with or without DM. Combined analysis TWA and HRT may be a convenient and useful method of identifying patients at high risk for cardiovascular death.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ren Li-na
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Burattini L, Man S, Burattini R, Swenne CA. Comparison of standard versus orthogonal ECG leads for T-wave alternans identification. Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol 2012; 17:130-40. [PMID: 22537331 DOI: 10.1111/j.1542-474x.2012.00490.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
T-wave alternans (TWA), an electrophysiologic phenomenon associated with ventricular arrhythmias, is usually detected from selected ECG leads. TWA amplitude measured in the 12-standard and the 3-orthogonal (vectorcardiographic) leads were compared here to identify which lead system yields a more adequate detection of TWA as a noninvasive marker for cardiac vulnerability to ventricular arrhythmias. Our adaptive match filter (AMF) was applied to exercise ECG tracings from 58 patients with an implanted cardiac defibrillator, 29 of which had ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation during follow-up (cases), while the remaining 29 were used as controls. Two kinds of TWA indexes were considered, the single-lead indexes, defined as the mean TWA amplitude over each lead (MTWAA), and lead-system indexes, defined as the mean and the maximum MTWAA values over the standard leads and over the orthogonal leads. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher TWA in the cases versus controls was identified only occasionally by the single-lead indexes (odds ratio: 1.0-9.9, sensitivity: 24-76%, specificity: 76-86%), and consistently by the lead-system indexes (odds ratio: 4.5-8.3, sensitivity: 57-72%, specificity: 76%). The latter indexes also showed a significant correlation (0.65-0.83) between standard and orthogonal leads. Hence, when using the AMF, TWA should be detected in all leads of a system to compute the lead-system indexes, which provide a more reliable TWA identification than single-lead indexes, and a better discrimination of patients at increased risk of cardiac instability. The standard and the orthogonal leads can be considered equivalent for TWA identification, so that TWA analysis can be limited to one-lead system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Burattini
- Department of Information Engineering, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Kusha M, Masse S, Farid T, Urch B, Silverman F, Brook RD, Gold DR, Mangat I, Speck M, Nair K, Poku K, Meyer C, Mittleman MA, Wellenius GA, Nanthakumar K. Controlled exposure study of air pollution and T-wave alternans in volunteers without cardiovascular disease. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2012; 120:1157-1161. [PMID: 22552907 PMCID: PMC3440072 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1104171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2011] [Accepted: 05/02/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidemiological studies have assessed T-wave alternans (TWA) as a possible mechanism of cardiac arrhythmias related to air pollution in high-risk subjects and have reported associations with increased TWA magnitude. OBJECTIVE In this controlled human exposure study, we assessed the impact of exposure to concentrated ambient particulate matter (CAP) and ozone (O3) on T-wave alternans in resting volunteers without preexisting cardiovascular disease. METHODS Seventeen participants without preexisting cardiovascular disease were randomized to filtered air (FA), CAP (150 μg/m3), O3 (120 ppb), or combined CAP + O3 exposures for 2 hr. Continuous electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded at rest and T-wave alternans (TWA) was computed by modified moving average analysis with QRS alignment for the artifact-free intervals of 20 beats along the V2 and V5 leads. Exposure-induced changes in the highest TWA magnitude (TWAMax) were estimated for the first and last 5 min of each exposure (TWAMax_Early and TWAMax_Late respectively). ΔTWAMax (Late-Early) were compared among exposure groups using analysis of variance. RESULTS Mean ± SD values for ΔTWAMax were -2.1 ± 0.4, -2.7 ± 1.1, -1.9 ± 1.5, and -1.2 ± 1.5 in FA, CAP, O3, and CAP + O3 exposure groups, respectively. No significant differences were observed between pollutant exposures and FA. CONCLUSION In our study of 17 volunteers who had no preexisting cardiovascular disease, we did not observe significant changes in T-wave alternans after 2-hr exposures to CAP, O3, or combined CAP + O3. This finding, however, does not preclude the possibility of pollution-related effects on TWA at elevated heart rates, such as during exercise, or the possibility of delayed responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marjan Kusha
- Division of Cardiology, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Burattini L, Zareba W, Burattini R. Is T-wave alternans T-wave amplitude dependent? Biomed Signal Process Control 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bspc.2011.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
33
|
Nearing BD, Wellenius GA, Mittleman MA, Josephson ME, Burger AJ, Verrier RL. Crescendo in depolarization and repolarization heterogeneity heralds development of ventricular tachycardia in hospitalized patients with decompensated heart failure. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2011; 5:84-90. [PMID: 22157521 DOI: 10.1161/circep.111.965434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A critical need exists for reliable warning markers of in-hospital life-threatening arrhythmias. We used a new quantitative method to track interlead heterogeneity of depolarization and repolarization to detect premonitory changes before ventricular tachycardia (VT) in hospitalized patients with acute decompensated heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS Ambulatory ECGs (leads V(1), V(5), and aVF) recorded before initiation of drug therapy from patients enrolled in the PRECEDENT (Prospective Randomized Evaluation of Cardiac Ectopy with Dobutamine or Nesiritide Therapy) trial were analyzed. R-wave heterogeneity (RWH) and T-wave heterogeneity (TWH) were assessed by second central moment analysis and T-wave alternans (TWA) by modified moving average analysis. Of 44 patients studied, 22 had experienced episodes of VT (≥4 beats at heart rates >100 beats/min) following ≥120 minutes of stable sinus rhythm, and 22 were age- and sex-matched patients without VT. TWA increased from 18.6±2.1 μV (baseline, mean±SEM) to 27.9±4.6 μV in lead V(5) at 15 to 30 minutes before VT (P<0.05) and remained elevated until the arrhythmia occurred. TWA results in leads V(1) and aVF were similar. RWH and TWH were elevated from 164.1±33.1 and 134.5±20.6 μV (baseline) to 299.8±54.5 and 239.2±37.0 μV at 30 to 45 minutes before VT (P<0.05), respectively, preceding the crescendo in TWA by 15 minutes. Matched patients without VT did not display elevated RWH (185.5±29.4 μV) or TWH (157.1±27.2 μV) during the 24-hour period. CONCLUSIONS This investigation is the first clinical demonstration of the potential utility of tracking depolarization and repolarization heterogeneity to detect crescendos in electrical instability that could forewarn of impending nonsustained VT. Clinical Trial Registration- URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00270400.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bruce D Nearing
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215-3908, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Ren L, Fang X, Wang Y, Qi G. T-wave alternans and heart rate variability: a comparison in patients with myocardial infarction with or without diabetes mellitus. Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol 2011; 16:232-8. [PMID: 21762250 DOI: 10.1111/j.1542-474x.2011.00437.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in T-wave alternans (TWA) and heart rate variability (HRV) among patients with myocardial infarction with or without diabetes mellitus and the relationship between TWA and HRV. METHODS The study population included 133 patients: 59 patients with myocardial infarction (MI) (group post-MI without diabetes); 40 myocardial infarction with diabetes (group post-MI with diabetes); and 34 controls (group control). Cardiac autonomic neuropathy assessment was made using frequency domain (low-frequency [LF] power, high-frequency [HF] power, LF/HF) and time domain (SDNN, standard deviation of the averaged normal sinus RR intervals for all 5-minute segments [SDANN]) of HRV indexes. Both TWA and HRV were measured on the Holter monitor, and TWA was calculated automatically using the time-domain modified moving average method. RESULTS TWA values differed significantly between controls (40 ± 16 μV) and group post-MI with (62 ± 17 μV, P < 0.05) or without (60 ± 15 μV, P < 0.05) diabetes. In addition, group post-MI with diabetes had lower standard deviation of all normal sinus RR intervals (SDNN), standard deviation of the averaged normal sinus RR intervals for all 5-minute segments (SDANN), and HF, indicating depressed vagus nerve activity, and higher LF/HF ratio, indicating elevated sympathetic nerve activity, than controls and group post-MI without diabetes (P < 0.05). TWA correlated with SDNN and SDANN (r = 0.29, 0.31; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS TWA was elevated in patients following myocardial infarction, both in those with or without diabetes. Myocardial infarction patients had a lower time domain, HF, and a higher LF/HF ratio HRV, especially in those with diabetes. The analysis of modified moving agerage (MMA)-based TWA and HRV can be a useful tool for identifying post-myocardial infarction patients at high risk of arrhythmic events.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- LiNa Ren
- Department of Cardiology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Verrier RL, Klingenheben T, Malik M, El-Sherif N, Exner DV, Hohnloser SH, Ikeda T, Martínez JP, Narayan SM, Nieminen T, Rosenbaum DS. Microvolt T-wave alternans physiological basis, methods of measurement, and clinical utility--consensus guideline by International Society for Holter and Noninvasive Electrocardiology. J Am Coll Cardiol 2011; 58:1309-24. [PMID: 21920259 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2011.06.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 286] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2011] [Revised: 06/10/2011] [Accepted: 06/13/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
This consensus guideline was prepared on behalf of the International Society for Holter and Noninvasive Electrocardiology and is cosponsored by the Japanese Circulation Society, the Computers in Cardiology Working Group on e-Cardiology of the European Society of Cardiology, and the European Cardiac Arrhythmia Society. It discusses the electrocardiographic phenomenon of T-wave alternans (TWA) (i.e., a beat-to-beat alternation in the morphology and amplitude of the ST-segment or T-wave). This statement focuses on its physiological basis and measurement technologies and its clinical utility in stratifying risk for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Signal processing techniques including the frequency-domain Spectral Method and the time-domain Modified Moving Average method have demonstrated the utility of TWA in arrhythmia risk stratification in prospective studies in >12,000 patients. The majority of exercise-based studies using both methods have reported high relative risks for cardiovascular mortality and for sudden cardiac death in patients with preserved as well as depressed left ventricular ejection fraction. Studies with ambulatory electrocardiogram-based TWA analysis with Modified Moving Average method have yielded significant predictive capacity. However, negative studies with the Spectral Method have also appeared, including 2 interventional studies in patients with implantable defibrillators. Meta-analyses have been performed to gain insights into this issue. Frontiers of TWA research include use in arrhythmia risk stratification of individuals with preserved ejection fraction, improvements in predictivity with quantitative analysis, and utility in guiding medical as well as device-based therapy. Overall, although TWA appears to be a useful marker of risk for arrhythmic and cardiovascular death, there is as yet no definitive evidence that it can guide therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard L Verrier
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Monasterio V, Laguna P, Cygankiewicz I, Vázquez R, Bayés-Genís A, de Luna AB, Martínez JP. Average T-wave alternans activity in ambulatory ECG records predicts sudden cardiac death in patients with chronic heart failure. Heart Rhythm 2011; 9:383-9. [PMID: 22024149 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2011.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2011] [Accepted: 10/19/2011] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND T-wave alternans (TWA) is a well-documented noninvasive electrocardiographic (ECG) method useful for identifying patients at risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD). OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the long-term average TWA activity on Holter monitoring provides prognostic information in patients with chronic heart failure. METHODS Twenty-four-hour Holter ECGs from 650 ambulatory patients with mild-to-moderate chronic heart failure were analyzed in the study. Average TWA activity was measured by using a fully automated multilead technique, and 2 indices were proposed to quantify TWA: an index quantifying the average TWA activity in the whole recording (IAA), which was used to define a positive/negative TWA test, and an index quantifying the average TWA activity at heart rates between 80 and 90 beats/min (IAA(90)). RESULTS Patients were divided into TWA positive (TWA+) and TWA negative (TWA-) groups by setting a cut point of 3.7 μV for IAA, corresponding to the 75th percentile of the distribution of IAA in the population. After a median follow-up of 48 months, the survival rate was significantly higher in the TWA- group for cardiac death and SCD (p = .017 and p = .001, respectively). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis revealed that both TWA+ and IAA(90) were associated with SCD with hazard rates of 2.29 (p = .004) and 1.07 per μV (p = .046), respectively. CONCLUSION The average TWA activity measured automatically from Holter ECGs predicted SCD in patients with mild-to-moderate chronic heart failure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Violeta Monasterio
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Yu H, Pi-Hua F, Yuan W, Xiao-Feng L, Jun L, Zhi L, Sen L, Zhang S. Prediction of sudden cardiac death in patients after acute myocardial infarction using T-wave alternans: a prospective study. J Electrocardiol 2011; 45:60-5. [PMID: 21920535 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2011.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2011] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE We assessed the value of T-wave alternans (TWA) in prediction of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS Consecutive patients (N = 227) were enrolled and were monitored with 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiogram within 1 to 15 days after AMI. T-wave alternans was identified by a modified moving average (MMA) algorithm computer software. The primary end point was SCD or lethal ventricular arrhythmia. We analyzed the hazard ratios (HRs) using the previously determined 47 μV TWA cutpoint. RESULTS During the 16 ± 7-month follow-up, 10 (4.4%) patients died suddenly. T-wave alternans (≥47 μV) predicted SCD (HR, 17.78 [95% confidence interval, 3.75-84.31]; P < .0001). Moreover, patients with 5 or more TWA episodes (≥47 μV) were at higher risk for SCD (HR, 20.75 [95% confidence interval, 5.77-74.57]; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS T-wave alternans (≥47 μV) monitored at 1 to 15 days after AMI-predicted heightened risk of SCD. Prediction is improved when the frequency of TWA episodes (≥47 μV) is analyzed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hou Yu
- Clinical Electrophysiology Laboratory and Arrhythmia Center, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Xicheng State, Beijing, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Repolarization alternans heterogeneity in healthy subjects and acute myocardial infarction patients. Med Eng Phys 2011; 34:305-12. [PMID: 21835679 DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2011.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2011] [Revised: 07/15/2011] [Accepted: 07/19/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
An association between heterogeneity of repolarization alternans (RA) and cardiac electrical instability has been reported. Characterization of RA in health and identification of physiological RA heterogeneity may help discrimination of abnormal RA cases more likely associated to arrhythmic events. Thus, aim of the present study was the identification of a physiological RA region in terms of mean temporal location (MRAD) with respect to the T apex, and mean amplitude (MRAA), by application of our heart-rate adaptive match filter method to clinical ECG recordings from 51 control healthy (CH) subjects and 43 acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients. Results indicate that RA occurring within the first half of the T wave is dominant in both CH and AMI populations (74.5% and 53.5% of cases, respectively; P<0.05). Definition of physiological RA region in the MRAD vs. MRAA plane (-83 ms ≤ MRAD ≤ 23 ms, 0≤ MRAA ≤ 30 μV) provided 0% and 32.6% abnormal RA cases among the CH subjects and AMI patients, respectively. We conclude that myocardial infarction may associate with an RA occurring early (MRAD<-83 ms) or late (MRAD >23 ms) along the JT segment, in addition or in alternative to an abnormally high RA amplitude (MRAA >30 μV).
Collapse
|
39
|
The ECG vertigo in diabetes and cardiac autonomic neuropathy. EXPERIMENTAL DIABETES RESEARCH 2011; 2011:687624. [PMID: 21747831 PMCID: PMC3124253 DOI: 10.1155/2011/687624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2010] [Accepted: 03/02/2011] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The importance of diabetes in the epidemiology of cardiovascular diseases cannot be overemphasized. About one third of acute myocardial infarction patients have diabetes, and its prevalence is steadily increasing. The decrease in cardiac mortality in people with diabetes is lagging behind that of the general population. Cardiovascular disease is a broad term which includes any condition causing pathological changes in blood vessels, cardiac muscle or valves, and cardiac rhythm. The ECG offers a quick, noninvasive clinical and research screen for the early detection of cardiovascular disease in diabetes. In this paper, the clinical and research value of the ECG is readdressed in diabetes and in the presence of cardiac autonomic neuropathy.
Collapse
|
40
|
Zhang X, Ma LL, Yao DK, Wang LX. Prediction values of T wave alternans for sudden cardiac death in patients with chronic heart failure: a brief review. CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE (GREENWICH, CONN.) 2011; 17:152-156. [PMID: 21609390 DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-7133.2011.00223.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
More than 50% of patients with heart failure die from sudden cardiac death as a result of malignant arrhythmia. T wave alternans (TWA) is a convenient, noninvasive, and inexpensive testing modality, with a higher sensitivity and specificity for sudden cardiac death. Its prediction value for malignant arrhythmia may even exceed electrophysiologic study. Generally, the algorithms of TWA can be divided into frequency-domain and time-domain methods, and the latter has a stronger anti-interference ability. So far, a unified measuring formula and diagnostic criteria about TWA measurements have been created. Large clinical studies in recent years strongly suggest that TWA can predict sudden cardiac death, which can be used as a guide for the implanting of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. This article reviews the current literature on recording techniques and clinical implications of TWA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xian Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Liaocheng People's Hospital and Liaocheng Clinical School of Taishan Medical University, Liaocheng City, Shandong Province, China
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Burattini L, Bini S, Burattini R. Automatic microvolt T-wave alternans identification in relation to ECG interferences surviving preprocessing. Med Eng Phys 2011; 33:17-30. [PMID: 20920875 DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2010.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2010] [Revised: 08/10/2010] [Accepted: 08/25/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The aim was to investigate the effect of interferences surviving preprocessing (residual noise, baseline wanderings, respiration modulation, replaced beats, missed beats and T-waves misalignment) on automatic identification of T-wave alternans (TWA), an ECG index of risk for sudden cardiac death. The procedures denominated fast-Fourier-transform spectral method (FFTSM), complex-demodulation method (CDM), modified-moving-average method (MMAM), Laplacian-likelihood-ratio method (LLRM), and adaptive-match-filter method (AMFM) were applied to interferences-corrupted synthetic ECG tracings and Holter ECG recordings from control-healthy subjects (CH-group; n=25) and acute-myocardial-infarction patients (AMI group; n=25). The presence of interferences in simulated data caused detection of false-positive TWA by all techniques but the FFTSM and AMFM. Clinical applications evidenced a discrepancy in that the FFTSM and LLRM detected no more than one TWA case in each population, whereas the CDM, MMAM, and AMFM detected TWA in all CH-subjects and AMI-patients, with significantly lower TWA amplitude in the former group. Because the AMFM is not prone to false-positive TWA detections, the latter finding suggests TWA as a phenomenon having continuously changing amplitude from physiological to pathological conditions. Only occasional detection of TWA by the FFTSM and LLRM in clinics can be ascribed to their limited ability in identifying TWA in the presence of interferences surviving preprocessing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Burattini
- Department of Biomedical, Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Leino J, Verrier RL, Minkkinen M, Lehtimäki T, Viik J, Lehtinen R, Nikus K, Kööbi T, Turjanmaa V, Kähönen M, Nieminen T. Importance of regional specificity of T-wave alternans in assessing risk for cardiovascular mortality and sudden cardiac death during routine exercise testing. Heart Rhythm 2010; 8:385-90. [PMID: 21056698 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2010.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2010] [Accepted: 11/01/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND T-wave alternans (TWA) indicates increased risk for life-threatening arrhythmias. However, the regional distribution and predictivity of TWA among precordial leads remain unknown. OBJECTIVE We analyzed the magnitude and prognostic power of TWA in precordial leads separately and in combination during routine exercise stress testing in the largest TWA study conducted to date. METHODS The Finnish Cardiovascular Study (FINCAVAS) enrolled consecutive patients (n = 3,598, 56 ± 13 [mean ± standard deviation] years old, 2,164 men, 1,434 women) with a clinically indicated exercise test with bicycle ergometer. TWA was analyzed with the time-domain modified moving average method. RESULTS During a follow-up of 55 months (interquartile range of 35-78 months), 231 patients died; 97 deaths were cardiovascular, and 46 were classified as sudden cardiac deaths (SCDs). In Cox analysis after adjustment for common coronary risk factors, each 20-μV increase in TWA in leads V1-V6 multiplied the hazard ratio for cardiovascular mortality by 1.486-fold (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.127-1.952; P = .005). Each 20-μV increase in TWA in lead V5 amplified the hazard ratio for cardiovascular mortality by 1.545 (95% CI 1.150-2.108; P = .004) and for SCD by 1.576 (95% CI 1.041-2.412; P = .033). CONCLUSIONS Maximum TWA monitored from anterolateral precordial lead V5 is the strongest predictor of cardiovascular mortality and SCD during routine exercise testing in our analysis. Higher TWA values indicate greater cardiovascular mortality and SCD risk, supporting the concept that quantification of TWA should receive more attention.
Collapse
|
43
|
Saravanan P, Davidson NC. Risk assessment for sudden cardiac death in dialysis patients. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2010; 3:553-9. [PMID: 20959609 DOI: 10.1161/circep.110.937888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
44
|
Novel algorithm for identifying T-wave current density alternans using synthesized 187-channel vector-projected body surface mapping. Heart Vessels 2010; 26:160-7. [PMID: 21052691 DOI: 10.1007/s00380-010-0042-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2009] [Accepted: 03/25/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The noninvasive evaluation of ventricular T-wave alternans (TWA) in patients with lethal ventricular arrhythmias is an important issue. In this study, we propose a novel algorithm to identify T-wave current density alternans (TWCA) using synthesized 187-channel vector-projected body surface mapping (187-ch SAVP-ECG). We recorded 10 min of 187-ch SAVP-ECG using a Mason-Likar lead system in the supine position. A recovery time (RT) dispersion map was obtained by averaging the 187-ch SAVP-ECG. The TWCA value was determined from the relative changes in the averaged current density in the T-wave zone (Tpeak ± 50 ms) for two T-wave types. We registered 20 ECG recordings from normal controls and 11 ECG recordings from nine subjects with long QT syndrome (LQT). We divided LQT syndrome subjects into two groups: group 1 provided 9 ECG recordings without visually apparent TWAs, and group 2 provided 2 ECG recordings with visually apparent TWAs. The QTc interval values in the LQT groups were higher than those in the control (515 ± 60 ms in LQT G-1, 600 ± 27 ms in LQT G-2 vs. 415 ± 19 ms in control, P < 0.001). The RTendc dispersion values among the LQT subjects were higher than those of the control subjects (48 ± 19 ms in LQT G-1, 65 ± 30 ms in LQT G-2 vs. 24 ± 10 ms in control, P < 0.01). The mean TWCA value was significantly higher in the LQT G-2 group with visually apparent TWCAs (0.5 ± 0.2% in control, 2.1 ± 1.2% in LQT G-1, and 32.3 ± 6.9% in LQT G-2). Interestingly, the two-dimensional distribution of TWCA in LQT was inhomogeneous and correlated with the distribution of increased RT dispersion. We conclude that a novel algorithm using 187-ch SAVP-ECG might provide new insights into body surface TWCA.
Collapse
|
45
|
Abstract
BACKGROUND Time-domain microvolt T-wave alternans (TWA) has been described as a noninvasive marker of sudden cardiac death in adults. The incidence of TWA in pediatric populations has not been defined well. The aim of the study was to determine peculiarities of TWA in children. METHODS We examined 68 healthy patients-newborns (20) and children in age group of 7-17 years (48)-and 85 pediatric patients: ventricular premature beats-65; dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP)-2; long QT syndrome (LQTS)-10; Brugada syndrome (BrS)-5, catecholaminergic ventricular tachycardia (CVT)-3. All underwent Holter monitoring (HM) with definition of the peak value of TWA by modified moving average method. RESULTS In healthy newborns, TWA was 32 +/- 8 (12-55) microV (HR 123-156 bmp). In healthy children (7-17 years) it was 30 +/- 11 (10-l 55) microV, (HR 64-132 bmp) without any differences between boys and girls. In all group of patients, TWA were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than in healthy. Circadian peak of TWA was found (90%) in a second part of day and at sleep (8%). Among them 60% (LQTS, BrS, and DCPM) had TWA > 55 microV. CONCLUSION Time-domain TWA during HM in children was independent of age, gender, and heart rate. In 94% healthy children, values of TWA do not exceed 55 microV but 20-50% children with cardiac pathology had TWA more than 55 microV. Night circadian type of TWA in diseases with risk of life-threatening arrhythmias associated with TWA was more than 55 microV.
Collapse
|
46
|
Verrier RL, Nieminen T. Macroscopic T-wave alternans: the tip of the iceberg in drug-induced torsade de pointes? J Am Coll Cardiol 2010; 56:241; author reply 241-2. [PMID: 20620750 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2010.03.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2010] [Accepted: 03/08/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
47
|
Nieminen T, Verrier RL. Usefulness of T-wave alternans in sudden death risk stratification and guiding medical therapy. Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol 2010; 15:276-88. [PMID: 20645971 PMCID: PMC6932425 DOI: 10.1111/j.1542-474x.2010.00376.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Visible T-wave alternans (TWA), a beat-to-beat alternation in the morphology and amplitude of the ST segment or T wave, has been observed for over a century to occur in association with life-threatening arrhythmias in patients with acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, and cardiac channelopathies. This compelling linkage prompted development of quantitative techniques leading to FDA-cleared commercial methodologies for measuring nonvisible levels of TWA in the frequency and time domains. The first aim of this review is to summarize evidence from more than a hundred studies enrolling a total of >12,000 patients that support the predictivity of TWA for cardiovascular mortality and sudden cardiac death. The second focus is on the usefulness of TWA in guiding therapy. Until recently, TWA has been used primarily in decision making for cardioverter-defibrillator implantation. Its potential utility in guiding pharmacologic therapy has been underappreciated. We review clinical literature supporting the usefulness of TWA as an index of antiarrhythmic effects and proarrhythmia for different drug classes. Beta-adrenergic and sodium channel-blocking agents are the most widely studied drugs in clinical TWA investigations, with both reducing TWA magnitude; the exception is patients in whom sodium channel blockade discloses the Brugada syndrome and provokes macroscopic TWA. An intriguing possibility is that TWA may help to detect beneficial effects of nonantiarrhythmic agents such as the angiotensin II receptor blocker valsartan, which indirectly protects from arrhythmia through improving myocardial remodeling. We conclude that quantitative analysis of TWA has considerable potential to guide pharmacologic intervention and thereby serve as a therapeutic target.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tuomo Nieminen
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Medical School, University of Tampere, Finland, and Department of Internal Medicine, Päijät‐Häme Central Hospital, Lahti, Finland
| | - Richard L. Verrier
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Nieminen T, Verrier RL, Nikus K, Viik J, Lehtinen R, Lehtimäki T, Kaiser W, Kähönen M. Pattern of crescendo TWA may disclose the underlying cardiac pathology. J Electrocardiol 2010; 43:449-51. [PMID: 20413129 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2010.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
We present an exercise test case in which crescendo TWA preceded ventricular tachycardia (VT). The patient was examined due to suspicion of ischemic heart disease. The ST-segment became elevated simultaneously with a distinct alternation in the ST-segment and the first half of the T-wave, and the patient developed polymorphic VT. Coronary angiography disclosed marked stenoses. Earlier reports of TWA in patients with congenital long QT syndrome show a pattern in which the T wave frequently alternates above and below the isoelectric line without concomitant ST-segment changes. In Brugada syndrome patients, the signature ST-T wave pattern is the locus of alternation. Future investigation should elucidate whether specific TWA morphologies may expose underlying heart disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tuomo Nieminen
- Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Takasugi N, Nishigaki K, Kubota T, Tsuchiya K, Natsuyama K, Takasugi M, Nawa T, Ojio S, Aoyama T, Kawasaki M, Takemura G, Minatoguchi S. Sleep apnoea induces cardiac electrical instability assessed by T-wave alternans in patients with congestive heart failure. Eur J Heart Fail 2010; 11:1063-70. [PMID: 19875406 DOI: 10.1093/eurjhf/hfp138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS To assess the involvement of sleep apnoea in nocturnal sudden cardiac death (SCD) by evaluating cardiac electrical instability using T-wave alternans (TWA), a risk marker for lethal cardiac arrhythmias, and severity of sleep apnoea in congestive heart failure (CHF) patients. METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 40 CHF patients simultaneously underwent overnight simplified respiratory polygraphy and 24 h continuous electrocardiography. Peak TWA during both daytime and nighttime were calculated by the modified moving average method. The patients were divided into two groups; 30 patients with daytime predominant TWA (whose peak TWA was higher during daytime than during nighttime) and 10 with nighttime predominant. Apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) was significantly higher in patients with nighttime predominant TWA than in those with daytime predominant (35.9 +/- 8.1 vs. 23.9 +/- 14.4 events/h, P = 0.02), and was an independent predictor of nighttime predominant TWA (odds ratio, 1.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.16; P = 0.03). Moreover, peak TWA during the night was correlated positively with AHI (P < 0.001), and AHI was an independent determinant of nocturnal TWA value (r(2) = 0.27, P = 0.009). CONCLUSION In CHF patients, sleep apnoea induces cardiac electrical instability manifested as TWA, reflecting increased risk of nocturnal SCD. Moreover, some CHF patients with sleep apnoea exhibit nighttime predominant TWA. Therefore, TWA should also be evaluated during the night.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nobuhiro Takasugi
- Regeneration and Advanced Medical Science, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1194, Japan.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Liew R, Chiam PTL. Risk Stratification for Sudden Cardiac Death after Acute Myocardial Infarction. ANNALS OF THE ACADEMY OF MEDICINE, SINGAPORE 2010. [DOI: 10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.v39n3p237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Many patients who survive an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remain at risk of recurrent cardiac events and sudden cardiac death after discharge, despite optimal medical treatment. Assessment of the degree of left ventricular dysfunction and residual myocardial ischaemia is useful to identify the patients at greatest risk. In addition, there is increasing evidence that a number of other cardiovascular tests can be used to detect autonomic dysfunction and myocardial substrate abnormalities postAMI that increase the risk of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. These investigations include ECG-based tests (signal averaged ECG and T-wave alternans), Holter-based recordings (heart rate variability and heart rate turbulence) and imaging techniques echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance), as well as invasive electrophysiological testing. This article reviews the current evidence for the use of these additional cardiac investigations among survivors of AMI to aid in their risk stratification for malignant ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.
Key words: Electrophysiological study, Holter recording, Non-invasive tests, Ventricular tachycardia
Collapse
|