Heart rate variability as a means of assessing prognosis after acute myocardial infarction: A 3-year follow-up study

AIMS: The present study evaluated the prognostic value of heart rate variability after acute myocardial infarction in comparison with other known risk factors. The cut-off points that maximized the hazards ratio were also explored. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Heart rate variability was assessed with 24 h ambulatory electrocardiography in 74 patients with acute myocardial infarction, 4 +/- 2 days after hospital admission and in 24 healthy controls. Patients were followed for 36 +/- 15 months. RESULTS: During follow-up, 18 patients died, nine suffered a non-fatal infarction and 20 underwent revascularization procedures. Heart rate variability was higher in survivors than in non-survivors (P = 0.005). This difference was found at higher statistical levels when comparing non-survivors vs controls (P = 0.0002). A similar statistically significant difference was also found between survivors vs controls (P = 0.04). Patients suffering non-fatal infarction and cardiac events (defined as death, non-fatal infarction or revascularization) had a lower heart rate variability than those without (P = 0.03 and P = 0.03, respectively). With multivariate regression analysis, decreased heart rate variability independently predicted mortality and death or non-fatal infarction. The presence of a left ventricular ejection fraction < 40% and a history of systemic hypertension were, however, stronger predictors. The cut-off points that maximized the hazards ratio using the Cox model differed from those reported by others. CONCLUSION: Decreased heart rate variability independently predicted poor prognosis after myocardial infarction. However, the cut-off points that should be used in clinical practice are still a matter for further investigation.