QT dispersion as a predictor for arrhythmias in patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction.

ABSTRACT

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and QT dispersion (QTd) in patients presenting with Acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: This is a retrospective study conducted on patients admitted with the diagnosis of acute ST elevation myocardial infarction. In all 100 patients with acute myocardial infarction in one year were subjected to a complete evaluation in terms of history and examination. Besides routine investigations standard 12 lead ECG was evaluated in all cases on admission, after 4 hrs, 24 hrs, 48 hrs and on discharge. RESULTS: The most common presenting symptoms were chest pain (88%) and dyspnea (50%). Tachycardia was seen in 56% while congestive heart failure was present in 29% patients. Patients who died had a higher QTd in comparison to patients who survived. CONCLUSIONS: Markers of autonomic regulation of heart like QTd provides valuable information about the future course of events in a patient following acute STEMI which can be utilized to plan the future course of management in patients especially predisposed to adverse and catastrophic outcomes.