Table I.
Characteristics of Patients
| Characteristic | Heart Failure (n = 6) | Normal LV Function (n = 9) | P |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age, y | 53 ± 17 | 60 ± 20 | .50 |
| Female sex, n (%) | 3 (50) | 1 (11) | .24 |
| African American race, n (%) | 5 (83) | 4 (44) | .51 |
| Weight, kg | 105 ± 37 | 80 ± 31 | .35 |
| LVEF, % | 30 ± 9 | 53 ± 6 (n = 5) | .0001 |
| Hypertension, n (%) | 3 (50) | 5 (56) | >.99 |
| Diabetes mellitus, n (%) | 2 (33) | 2 (22) | .58 |
| Coronary artery disease,a n (%) | 0 | 1 (11) | >.99 |
| Past MI, n (%) | 1 (17) | 2 (22) | >.99 |
| COPD, n (%) | 0 | 1 (11) | >.99 |
| Pretreatment serum K+, mEq/L | 4.3 ± 0.2 | 4.3 ± 0.2 | .78 |
| ACEI/ARB, n (%) | 3 (50) | 3 (33) | .62 |
| β-blockers, n (%) | 4 (67) | 4 (44) | .61 |
| Diuretics, n (%) | 3 (50) | 4 (44) | >.99 |
| Nitrates, n (%) | 3 (50) | 3 (33) | .62 |
| Oral amiodarone, n (%) | 1 (17) | 1 (11) | >.99 |
| Ibutilide-induced conversion to SR, n (%) | 2 (33) | 5 (56) | .61 |
| DCC-induced conversion to SR, n (%) | 2 (33) | 4 (44) | .61 |
| Pretreatment QTF, milliseconds | 419 ± 20 | 410 ± 34 | .95 |
Data are mean ± standard deviation unless otherwise indicated. ACEI, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor; ARB, angiotensin receptor blocker; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; DCC, direct current cardioversion; LV, left ventricular; LVEF, left ventricular ejection fraction; MI, myocardial infarction; QTF, Fridericia-corrected QT interval; SR, sinus rhythm.
a
No history of MI.