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Introduction: The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the spectral index of heart rate variability reflecting an autonomic nervous tone balance and recurrence of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias in postinfarction patients with left ventricular dysfunction. Material and methods: Study population consisted of 30 patients with previous myocardial infarction, EF ≤ 40%, episodes of VT/VF and implanted ICD. Patients according to the value of autonomic tone’s balance index - LH/LF (low frequency/high frequency power), derived form 5-min registration of HRV, were divided into 2 groups. 1st group consisted of 18 patients with LF/HF≥1 and 2nd group of 12 patients with LF/HF<1. During the follow-up period of 1-12 months recurrence of malignant ventricular arrhythmia was assessed. Results: The recurrence of VF/VT episodes recorded in memory of ICD was significantly more frequent in the 1st group of patients (8/18 patients – 44%) than in the 2nd group (1/12 patients - 8%) (p<0,05). Conclusions: In patients with postinfarction left ventricular dysfunction, EF≤40% and implanted ICD for secondary prevention an index LF/HF ≥ derived from short-term registration of heart activity may be useful predictor of recurrence of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. (Clin Exp Med Lett 2007; 48(3):183-186)

Keywords: sudden death, Spectral analysis, heart rate variability