title: Heart rate variability in early phase of acute myocardial infarction and convalescence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was done to evaluate the degree of change in autonomic activity, manifested as heart rate variability (HRV), from acute phase of MI to convalescent period of AMI.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single center, observational prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Department of Cardiology, Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore. The study was completed in one year from June 2000 to July 2001.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty consecutive patients presenting within 24 hours of an ST segment elevation AMI with or without thrombolysis were included. First 24 hour Holter recording was done within 24-36 hours after AMI and the second was done before discharge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean hospital stay was 7.07 +/- 2.56 days. Mean duration between the two recordings was 5.47 +/- 2.36 days. The mean standard deviation of normal sinus interval (SDNN) was 65.07 +/- 25.11msec & 63-97 +/- 23.38msec; mean standard deviation of averaged sinus beats for 5 minutes segments of entire recording (SDANN) was 51.27 +/- 18.57msec and 55.83 +/- 19.65msec and mean SDDN index was 34.57 +/- 17.15msec and 30.57 +/- 14.89msec during early phase of acute MI & pre-discharge recordings respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in HRV between early phase of acute myocardial infarction and of pre-discharge recordings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HRV may be monitored for risk stratification at any time post AMI prior to discharge.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore. drshahadat@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Shahadat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.forename: Saulat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Siddique
authors.forename: Qazi Abdul
authors.initials: QA
authors.lastname: Saboor
mesh_terms: D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors