title: QT interval dynamics predict mortality in high-risk patients after myocardial infarction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic properties of the QT/RR relationship in survivors of myocardial infarction with severe left ventricular dysfunction.
  
  
  METHODS
  The QT/RR interval slope was assessed from 24-h electrocardiographic recordings obtained from 241 patients representative of survivors of an acute myocardial infarction with an ejection fraction < or =35%. During a median follow-up of 752 days, 63 patients died.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In a multivariate analysis QT/RR at night-time was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality. A linear all-cause mortality predictor score was calculated from age, ejection fraction, QRS duration and QT/RR night, allowing identification of a high-risk one-third of the patients with a relative risk of death at 4.0.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates independent prognostic information of night-time QT/RR dynamics in patients at high risk after myocardial infarction. A linear predictor score calculated from age, ejection fraction, QRS duration and QT/RR night identifies a high-risk one-third of the patients with a 1-year mortality of 36% vs 9% in the remaining patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark. hintze@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: Ulrik
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hintze
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Vach
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Burchardt
authors.forename: Jørgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Videbaek
authors.forename: Mogens
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Møller
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015588:Observer Variation; D010627:Phenethylamines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D010627:Phenethylamines; D013449:Sulfonamides; C063533:dofetilide