The signal averaged ECG predicts outcome in patients with nonsustained ventricular tachycardia

In a trial of 1925 patients with coronary artery disease, asymptomatic nonsustained ventricular tachycardia, and left ventricular dysfunction, the signal averaged ECG (SAECG) predicted outcome, particularly in those with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <30 percent. The two- and five-year event rates for patients with filtered QRS duration >114 milliseconds were 17 and 36 percent, respectively, compared with 10 and 23 percent, respectively, with a QRS ≤114 milliseconds (p = 0.0001). In patients with an LVEF ≥30 percent, the two- and five-year event rates were 6 and 13 percent, respectively and 11 and 22 percent, respectively, for a QRS ≤ or >114 milliseconds (p = 0.01).