The neural component of baroreflex sensitivity based on carotid artery diameter variations as a risk stratifier for sudden cardiac death in post-MI patients

Abstract

Introduction: To improve the selection of post-MI patients with a low ejection fraction (EF), who may profit from primary preventive ICD therapy, there is a need for additional risk stratifiers. We expect the neural component (NC) of the baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) to be a better risk stratifier for ventricular arrhythmias than BRS itself, because the predictive value of BRS for the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias in post-MI patients is biased by the effect of an increase in vessel wall stiffness.