Abstract
BACKGROUND: Few small-sample studies have quantified the T-wave alternans (TWA) value by 24-hour ambulatory recordings or exercise stress tests in patients with long QT syndrome (LQTS). The cutoff point of TWA ≥47 μV was based on patients with myocardial infarction. In our study, we aimed to (1) evaluate the association of TWA with life-threatening arrhythmic events (LAEs); (2) compare the predictive model of LAEs according to the TWA value measured by 24-hour ambulatory recordings and exercise stress tests; and (3) propose a cutoff point for the high risk of LAEs in patients with LQTS. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study cohort included 110 patients with LQTS referred to our hospital, and the primary outcome was LAEs. Thirty-one patients with LQTS (31/110 [28.2%]) developed LAEs during the following 24 (12-47) months. Peak TWA value quantified from 12 leads by 24-hour ambulatory recordings in patients with LQTS with LAEs (LQTS-LAEs group) was significantly higher than LQTS without LAEs (LQTS-non-LAEs group) (64.0 [42.0-86.0] μV versus 43.0 [36.0-53.0] μV; P<0.01). There was no statistical difference in TWA value measured by exercise stress tests between the 2 groups (69.0 [54.5-127.5] μV versus 68.5 [53.3-99.8] μV; P=0.871). The new cutoff point of the peak TWA value measured by 24-hour ambulatory recordings was 55.5 μV, with a sensitivity of 75.0% and a specificity of 78.6%. A univariate Cox regression analysis revealed that TWA value ≥55.5 μV was a strong predictor of LAEs (hazard ratio [HR], 4.5 [2.1-9.6]; P<0.001]. A multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that TWA value ≥55.5 μV remained significant (HR, 2.7 [1.1-6.8]; P=0.034). CONCLUSIONS: Peak TWA measured by 24-hour ambulatory recordings was a more favorable risk stratification marker than exercise stress tests for patients with LQTS.