Enhanced detection of ischemic but viable myocardium by QT interval dispersion on treadmill exercise electrocardiograms of patients with healed anterior wall myocardial infarcts

Background: The presence of ischemic but viable myocardium in infarcted are as is an important indication for coronary revascularization, but is often difficult to detect with the use of treadmill exercise electrocardiography (ECG). Hypothesis: QT interval dispersion (QTd) is a sensitive method for detectin g myocardial ischemia and may improve the accuracy of treadmill exercise EC G testing for detecting ischemic but viable myocardium in infarcted areas. Methods: Forty-five patients with Q-wave anterior wall myocardial infarctio ns who underwent treadmill exercise ECC, exercise reinjection thallium-201 (Tl-201) scintigraphy, radionuclide angiocardiography, and coronary angiogr aphy 1 month after infarction were enrolled in this study. The presence of viable myocardium in the infarct area was determined by exercise reinjectio n Tl-201 scintigraphy. Patients who had no redistribution in the infarct ar ea after reinjection were included in Group 1, and those with redistributio n were included in Group 2. Results: QTd immediately after exercise, and the difference between QTd bef ore and immediately after exercise, were significantly greater in Group 2 t han in Group 1. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of conventional ST-segment depression criteria for detecting viable myocardium in the infar ct area were 48, 64, and 56%, respectively. The measurement of QTd immediat ely after exercise (abnormal: greater than or equal to 70 ms; normal: < 70 ms) improved the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy to 78, 82, and 80%, respectively. Conclusions: This novel diagnostic method using QTd-based criteria signific antly improves the clinical usefulness of treadmill exercise ECG testing fo r detecting ischemic but viable myocardium in infarct areas in patients wit h healed Q-wave anterior wall myocardial infarctions.