Vnitr Lek 2007, 53(10):1071-1076

Analysis of the effect of circadian rhythm on the heart rate turbulence in patients without evidence of organic heart disease

P. Trčka^*, M. Kozák, M. Sepši, L. Křivan, J. Vlašínová

Interní kardiologická klinika Lékařské fakulty MU a FN Brno, pracoviště Bohunice, přednosta prof. MUDr. Jindřich Špinar, CSc., FESC

Some studies have demonstrated circadian incidence of sudden cardiac death (SCD), ventricular ectopies, acute coronary syndromes and heart rate variability. One of new parameters applied in non-invasive stratification of sudden cardiac death is heart rate turbulence (HRT). Detection of circadian oscillations in HRT and optimised measurement of HRT can increase the positive predictive value of HRT as a sign of SCD risk. The set consisted of 48 patients in a sequence order aged 45 ± 12 years (of which 23 men and 25 women), indicated for Holter monitoring of ventricular ectopies who had good left ventricular function with LV EF 0.53 ± 0.11. HRT was measured in two-hour intervals within a 24 hour period, followed by an analysis of circadian dependence of HRT. A significant circadian oscillation in the TS (turbulence slope) parameter was recorded. No circadian signs were detected for the TO (turbulence onset) parameter. The project is supported by grant no. NR/8478-3.

Keywords: heart rate turbulence; sudden cardiac death; good left ventricular function

Received: April 26, 2007; Accepted: June 26, 2007; Published: October 1, 2007  Show citation