Assessment of the pre-test probability of ischemic heart disease according to the data of dispersion mapping of an electrocardiogram and analysis of heart rate variability

Abstract

February 2022 est., there were several validated ischemic heart disease (IND) pretest probability scales presented in the clinical guidelines of various cardiology communities (G.A. Diamond and J.S. Forrester, Duke, ESC 2019 scales). Despite their diversity, they lacked clear quantitative criteria and were based on a subjective assessment of the pain syndrome described by a patient, their gender and age. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibilities of heart rate variability and ECG dispersion mapping for pre-test assessment of the probability of coronary artery disease. We studied 81 patients (mean age 61.48 ± 13.00 years) with suspected CAD. All patients underwent a five-minute ECG recording with the construction of ECG dispersion mapping and assessment of heart rate variability. Each subject underwent coronary angiography (within 12 months before or after the stress test) to verify the damage to the coronary bed. When analyzing the comparison of the results of coronary angiography and dispersion ECG mapping, 3 groups of patients were formed and studied: group A (coronary artery stenosis more than 50%, n = 18), B (coronary artery stenosis less than 50%, n = 16) and C (without coronary artery disease, n = 21). It was noted that the more pronounced the stenosis of the coronary arteries, the higher the index of microalternations “Myocardium” and T-alternation of the myocardium, and the lower the functional reserve of the myocardium. Considering that a short (thirty second) high-resolution ECG recording is required to perform dispersion ECG mapping, this method can be used as a screening for the selection of patients at high risk of coronary heart disease and exercise testing. We suggest that patients should be referred for exercise testing if two of the three criteria are present: BMI ≥ 22%, Functional reserve ≤ 70%, T-alternation ≥ 18% (AUC ROC is 0.718). The sensitivity and specificity of the presented method can be increased by adding indicators from the analysis of heart rate variability (heart rate, HF, LF) and patient’s age (AUC ROC is 0.929) to the formula.