Effect of action potential duration on Tpeak-Tend interval, T-wave area and T-wave amplitude as indices of dispersion of repolarization: Theoretical and simulation study in the rabbit heart

Abstract

Background: The aim of the study was to differentiate the effect of dispersion of repolarization (DOR) and action potential duration (APD) on T-wave parameters being considered as indices of DOR, namely, Tpeak-Tend interval, T-wave amplitude and T-wave area.

Methods: T-wave was simulated in a wide physiological range of DOR and APD using a realistic rabbit model based on experimental data. A simplified mathematical formulation of T-wave formation was conducted.

Results: Both the simulations and the mathematical formulation showed that Tpeak-Tend interval and T-wave area are linearly proportional to DOR irrespectively of APD range, while T-wave amplitude is non-linearly proportional to DOR and inversely proportional to the minimal repolarization time, or minimal APD value.

Conclusion: Tpeak-Tend interval and T-wave area are the most accurate DOR indices independent of APD. T-wave amplitude can be considered as an index of DOR when the level of APD is taken into account.

Keywords: Action potential duration; Dispersion of repolarization; T-wave amplitude; T-wave area; Tpeak-Tend interval.