Relationship between QT dispersion and a heart failure survival score

We assessed the relationship between QT dispersion and a heart failure survival score (HFSS). 12-lead ECGs were recorded to computer during 18 cardiac transplant assessment sessions on 17 patients. The HFSS was calculated for each subject from clinical data. QT intervals were measured manually and by an automatic technique. HFSS ranged from 6.27 to 9.80, with five assessments classified as low-risk (HFSS⩾8.1), seven classified as medium-risk (7.2<HFSS<8.1) and six classified as high-risk (HFSS⩽7.2). Dispersion measured manually ranged from 29 to 92 ms with mean (range) for the low-, medium- and high-risk groups of 47 (29-59), 49 (35-61) and 60 (32-92) ms respectively. There were no significant differences between risk groups with manual measurement. Biphasic and ST offsets presented measurement difficulties for automated measurements