Reproducibility of Electrophysiologic Parameters of Extrinsic Sinus Node Function in Patients with and without Sick Sinus Syndrome

Abstract

In a group of 50 patients we investigated the daily reproducibility of the resting heart rate (RHR), the maximal corrected sinus node recovery time (CSNRTM), the pacing rate at which the CSNRTM occurred (OP), and the sinoatrial conduction time (SACT) during basal state. The study population was divided into two groups according to the presence or absence (as evidenced during the initial electrophysiologic study) of sinus node disease: group I included 35 patients with normal sinus node function, and group II included 15 patients with sick sinus syndrome. The electrophysiologic study was repeated approximately at the same hour and under similar conditions after an interval of at least two days (mean: 3.2 days for group I and 4.7 days for group II). The results showed good reproducibility with the exception of RHR in group I which slightly but significantly decreased in the second electrophysiologic study. The daily variations of the sinus node parameters appeared to be of similar levels in the two groups except for the CSNRTM; this parameter showed wide variations in single values in both groups, more marked in group II than in group I. Furthermore, if the CSNRTM and/or SACT were normal, it was likely that they would remain normal whatever the electrophysiologic status of the patient. Inversely, the change of status from abnormal to normal CSNRTM or SACT was not uncommon in patients with electrophysiologic signs of sinus node disease.