Modulation of the Q‐T Interval by the Autonomic Nervous System

Abstract

Recent investigations have clarified some of the effects of the autonomic nervous system on duration and spatial distribution of the Q-T interval in humans. The use of atrial pacing to fix heart rate or 24-hour continuous electrocardiographic recording to develop a regression formula for individual patients has provided a means to interpret the effects of an intervention that alters both the heart rate and the Q-T interval. Drugs that affect the autonomic nervous system can influence Q-T interval directly or by changing rate. Bazett's formula to correct for rate may be misleading after certain drug interventions. For example, the Q-T interval during sinus rhythm or atrial pacing and the ventricular effective refractory period shorten after atropine plus propranolol, but corrected Q-T interval using Bazett's formula does not change. No change occurs in the Q-T interval during sinus rhythm or atrial pacing, or in ventricular effective refractory period after administration of propranolol although corrected Q-T interval using Bazett's formula markedly shortens. Q-T interval during sinus rhythm and atrial pacing and ventricular effective refractory period decrease after atropine but correct Q-T interval lengthens.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)