RR-QT interval trend covariability for sudden cardiac death risk stratification

Sudden cardiac arrest risk stratification based on 24-hour Holter ECG statistics

This study examined the feasibility of using indices obtained from a long term Holter ECG record for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) risk stratification. The ndices tested were the QT-RR interval co-variability and the alternans ratio percentile (ARP(θ)) which is defined as the θ(th) percentile of alternans ratios over a 24 hour period. The QT-RR interval co-variabilities are evaluated by the serial correlation coefficient between QT and RR trend sequences (QTRC). Previously reported Kalman filter technique and a simple smoothing spline method for the trend estimation are compared. Parameter θ in the alternans ratio percentile index was optimized to achieve the best classification accuracy. These indices were estimated from 26 cardiovascular outpatients for Holter ECG record. Patients were classified into high and low risk groups according to their clinical diagnosis, and the obtained indices were compared with those of 25 control subjects. A risk stratification using the two indices QTRC and ARP(θ) yielded an average sensitivity of 0.812 and a specificity of 0.925. The sensitivities and specificities of all three categories exceeded 0.8 except for the sensitivity to detect the high-risk patient group. Other short-term ECG parameters may need to be incorporated in order to improve the sensitivity.

QT interval variations and mortality risk: is there any relationship?

Abnormal prolongation and shortening of the electrocardiographic QT interval duration, which occur in the hereditary forms of long and short QT syndromes, are associated with an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Even within the normal range, these altered durations are associated with an increased mortality risk in the general population. While extreme prolongation or reduction of the QT interval predisposes patients to malignant ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death, the precise dose-response relationship between the QT interval and cardiovascular disease mortality is still unknown. This paper describes the need for more standardized methods for measuring and reporting the QT interval and the need for more precise assessments of the risk associated with QT interval variation.