P-171 Can New Descriptors of Ventricular Repolarisation as T-Wave Vector Alternans Detect Highly Arrhythmic Risk Patients with Heart Diseases?

Abstract

Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) can involve healthy subjects, may change to persistent, and occasionally convert to chronic AF (CAF) in particular patients. The factor that induces PAF and alters PAF to CAF is not clear. We inquired into general habits and symptoms of patients with recurrent AF in this study. CAF was defined as lasting more than 180 days. Seventeen patients with CAF (CAF-G), 46 with PAF (PAF-G), and 27 patients without AF (C-G) were enrolled (age 71±8 ys, 67±11 ys, 72±13 ys; male 82%, 67%, 48% in each; both P> 0.05). All patients in CAF-G were initially treated as PAF. Questionnaire concerning general habits uncovered less satisfaction about sleep in PAF-G than C-G (P< 0.05), which, however, was indifferent either between CAF-G and PAF-G or between CAF-G and C-G. Chance and amount of alcohol intake, current smoking, sleeping time, and frequency of fish intake was not different among groups. Questionnaire concerning symptoms fromAF demonstrated longer history in CAF-G than PAF-G (10 ys vs. 7 ys in median; P= 0.02) and less severe initial complaints (P= 0.03). Frequency of symptoms, severity of current complaints was not different between CAF-G and PAF-G. Triggering of AF by alcohol, meals, sleep, excitation and exercise did not reach a significantly different level between CAF-G and PAF-G, with only slight high tendency of stress in PAF-G (P= 0.15). These results suggest that the induction of AF is related to sleep disturbances and that the conversion to chronic AF is preceded by progression of the disease and mild illness.