Echocardiographically detected myocardial viability early post-myocardial infarction is not related to late potentials and reduced heart rate variability

Arrhythmias substrate, autonomic imbalance and residual ischemia are known risk factors after acute myocardial infarction In order to assess the impact of myocardial viability (MV) post AMI on late potentials (LP), heart rate variability (HRV) and total ischemic burden 121 patients with uncomplicated AMI, aged 59+/-10 yrs, in sinus rhythm, without bundle branch block who underwent low-dose dobutamine (LDD) stress echocardiography between 8-12 day post AMI were studied prospectively. The patients underwent signal-averaged ECG recording whereas non-spectral measures of HRV and total time of ST depression over 24 h were assessed on 24-hour Holter monitoring. Comparing patients with and without MV the presence of MV although associated with higher total ischemic burden does not lead to an unfavorable arrhythmogenic substrate nor is it associated with impaired HRV.