OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the predictive power of arrhythmia risk markers after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). BACKGROUND: Several risk variables have been suggested to predict the occurrence of sudden cardiac death (SCD), but the utility of these variables has not been well established among patients using medical therapy according to contemporary guidelines. METHODS: A consecutive series of 700 patients with AMI was studied. The end points were total mortality, SCD, and nonsudden cardiac death (non-SCD). Nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (nsVT), ejection fraction (EF), heart rate variability, baroreflex sensitivity, signal-averaged electrocardiogram (SAECG), QT dispersion, and QRS duration were analyzed (n = 675). Beta-blocking therapy was used by 97% of the patients at discharge and by 95% at one and two years after AMI. RESULTS: During a mean (+/-SD) follow-up of 43 +/- 15 months, 37 non-SCDs (5.5%) and 22 SCDs (3.2%) occurred. All arrhythmia risk variables differed between the survivors and those with non-SCD (e.g., the standard deviation of N-N intervals was 98 +/- 32 vs. 74 +/- 21 ms [p
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Comment In: J Am Coll Cardiol. 2003 Aug 20;42(4):659-6012932597