A Study of QT Dispersion as a Prognostic Indicator in Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Background: QT dispersion, defined as the difference between maximum and minimum QT interval measured at 12 lead ECG, is the most simple and widely used index of ventricular dispersion. Increased ventricular dispersion predicts predisposition to cardiac arrhythmia and therefore affects the prognosis of patients after myocardial infarction. Methods: In this study we evaluated whether QT dispersion can predict the arrhythmogenic potential in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and whether it can behave as a risk stratification tool in such patients. Results: In all, 124 patients were included in the study. Mean QT dispersion at presentation was 112±5.4 ms. Those who were thrombolysed, or survived or did not develop significant ventricular arrhythmias had significantly lower QT dispersion than their comparative groups (P<0.001). Conclusion: In our study we found that measuring QT dispersion from presentation till hospitalisation can provide a method of risk stratification of AMI patients and can detect patients who are at increased risk of developing ventricular arrhythmias and increased cardiac mortality ?Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]