Characterization of QT interval adaptation to RR interval changes and its use as a risk-stratifier of arrhythmic mortality in amiodarone-treated survivors of acute myocardial infarction

A new method is proposed to evaluate the dynamics of QT interval adaptation in response to heart rate (HR) changes. The method considers weighted averages of RR intervals (R~R~) preceding each cardiac beat to express RR interval history accounting for the influence on repolarization duration. A global optimization algorithm is used to determine the weight distribution leading to the lowest regression residual when curve fitting the [QT, R~R~] data using a patient- specific regression model. From the optimum weight distribution, a memory lag L₉₀ is estimated, expressing the delay in the QT adaptation to HR changes. On average, RR intervals of the past 150 beats (approximately 2.5 min) are required to model the QT response accurately. From a clinical point of view, the interval of the initial tens of seconds to one minute seems to be most important in the majority of cases. A measure of the optimum regression residual (r_opt) has been calculated, discriminating between post-myocardial infarction patients at high and low risk of arrhythmic death while on treatment with amiodarone. A similar discrimination has been achieved with a variable expressing the character of QT lag behind the RR interval dynamics.