Differential diagnosis between LQT1 and LQT2 by QT/RR relationships
using 24-hour Holter monitoring: a multicenter cross-sectional study
Abstract
Background The clinical course and therapeutic strategies in the
congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) are genotype-specific. However,
accurate estimation of LQTS-genotype is often difficult from the
standard 12-lead ECG. Objectives This study aims to evaluate the utility
of QT/RR slope analysis by the 24-hour Holter monitoring for
differential diagnosis of LQTS-genotype between LQT1 and LQT2. Methods
This cross-sectional study enrolled 54 genetically identified LQTS
patients (29 LQT1 and 25 LQT2) recruited from 3 medical institutions.
The QT-apex (QTa) interval and the QT-end (QTe) interval at each
15-second were plotted against the R-R intervals and the linear
regression (QTa/RR and QTe/RR slopes, respectively) were calculated from
the entire 24-hour and separately during the day or night-time periods
of the Holter recordings. Results The QTe/RR and QTa/RR slopes at the
entire 24-hour were significantly steeper in LQT2 compared to those in
LQT1 patients (0.262 +/- 0.063 vs 0.204 +/- 0.055, P = 0.0007; 0.233 +/-
0.052 vs 0.181 +/- 0.040, P = 0.0002, respectively). The QTe interval
was significantly longer, QTe/RR and QTa/RR slopes at daytime were
significantly steeper in LQT2 than in LQT1 patients. The receiver
operating curve analysis revealed that the QTa/RR slope of 0.211 at the
entire 24-hour Holter was the best cut-off value for differential
diagnosis between LQT1 and LQT2 (sensitivity: 80.0%, specificity:
75.0% and area under curve: 0.804 [95%CI = 0.68-0.93]). Conclusion
The continuous 24-hour QT/RR analysis using the Holter monitoring may be
useful to predict the genotype of congenital LQTS, particularly for LQT1
and LQT2.