Electrophysiological properties of right heart and atrioventricular conducting system in patients with alcoholic cardiomyopathy.

In 20 men with alcoholic cardiomyopathy, right atrial and right ventricular monophasic action potential, relative repolarisation rate of phase 3, and effective refractory period were studied, as well as atrioventricular conduction properties. The duration of right atrial monophasic action potential and effective refractory period recorded in the middle of the right atrium was shorter in comparison with control patients while the right atrial relative repolarisation rate phase 3 was unchanged. In 5 patients with atrial fibrillation, after conversion to sinus rhythm, great variations were found between right atrial monophasic action potential duration at 90 per cent and 50 per cent repolarisation, atrial effective refractory period, and right atrial relative repolarisation rate of phase 3 recorded in 3 different sites of the right atrium. The right ventricular monophasic action potential duration at 90 per cent repolarisation was longer, while right ventricular monophasic action potential duration at 50 per cent, and right ventricular relative repolarisation rate of phase 3 were shorter in alcoholics compared with the control group. The greatest differences between right ventricular monophasic action potential duration and ventricular effective refractory period obtained in 3 different sites of the right ventricle was observed in alcoholics with frequent ventricular premature beats.