Serial electrocardiograms at follow-up for early detection of transplanted heart rejection: A viewpoint

Abstract

This viewpoint proposed that serial electrocardiograms (ECG) could be used to monitor for heart transplantation (HT) rejection, based on the expected attenuation of the amplitude of ECG QRS complexes (attQRS) engendered by the rejection-induced decrease in electrical resistance due to the underlying myocardial edema (ME). Previous work in humans has shown attQRS in the setting of a diverse array of edematous states, affecting the myocardium (i.e, ME) and the body volume conductor “enveloping” the heart. Also, animal and human experience has revealed low electrical resistance during mild/moderate HT rejection. Studies with serial correlations of endomyocardial biopsy (EMB), echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and ECG are recommended, which will merely require recording of an ECG, when EMB and imaging studies are carried out for monitoring of post-HT rejection.