[Depression of diurnal dispersion of sinus rhythm in patients after myocardial infarct].
OBJECTIVE
To study a relationship between reduced heart rate variability and ventricular ectopic activity in patients with coronary artery disease and also efficiency of atenolol in suppression of ventricular arrhythmias and increase of heart rate variability.


METHODS
32 men with stable angina of effort (functional class II-III) after the first myocardial infarction (mean age 52.9 years). 24-h ECG monitoring was carried out in 25 patients before and 3 weeks after treatment with atenolol in the dose 50-100 mg/day for 3 weeks.


RESULTS
The mean standard deviation of the R-R intervals in 24 hours was much lower in patients with ventricular arrhythmias. In the majority of the patients with frequent ventricular premature beats (> 10 VPB/hour), the changes in vegetative homeostasis manifested mainly by activation of sympathetic nervous system. Atenolol given for 3 weeks to these patients proved effective.


CONCLUSIONS
Low heart rate variability correlated with increased frequency of ventricular premature beats. Atenolol can be recommended for the treatment of such patients.
Kaliuzhin
V V
VV
Tepliakov
A T
AT
Maleeva
M A
MA
Pushnikova
E Iu
EIu
Solovtsov
M A
MA
D000328:Adult; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001262:Atenolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005080:Exercise Test; D006339:Heart Rate; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018879:Ventricular Premature Complexes / Q000517:prevention & control
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D001262:Atenolol