Measurement of microvolt-level T wave alternans is reviewed as a promising noninvasive technique for identifying patients at risk for ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.
Does measurement of microvolt T wave alternans on the surface electrocardiogram identify patients at risk for sudden cardiac death?
Microvolt T wave alternans is a promising noninvasive diagnostic tool for identifying patients at high risk of sudden cardiac death, potentially improving targeted preventative treatments.
Sudden cardiac death remains a preeminent public health problem. Despite advances in preventative treatment for patients known to be at risk, to date we have been able to identify, and thus treat, only a small minority of these patients. Therefore, there is a major need to develop noninvasive diagnostic technologies to identify patients at risk. Recent studies have demonstrated that measurement of microvolt-level T wave alternans is a promising technique for the accurate identification of patients at risk for ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. In this article, we review the clinical data establishing the relationship between microvolt T wave alternans and susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias. We also review the methods and technology that have been developed to measure microvolt levels of T wave alternans noninvasively in broad populations of ambulatory patients. In particular, we examine techniques that permit the accurate measurement of T wave alternans during exercise stress testing.
Rosenbaum et al. (Fri,) conducted a review in Sudden cardiac death and ventricular arrhythmias. Microvolt-level T wave alternans measurement was evaluated on Ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Measurement of microvolt-level T wave alternans is reviewed as a promising noninvasive technique for identifying patients at risk for ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.