Circadian Rhythm of Hourly Ventricular Arrhythmia Frequency in Man

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Abstract
Twenty-four hour ECG (3) recordings from 164 untreated patients were analyzed. A clear, statistically significant, diurnal pattern in hourly ventricular arrhythmia frequency was found. It was consistent across days and between 7 diagnostic groups. A high frequency 1200 h-1600 h peak contrasted with a low frequency 0100h-0500h trough with zero hourly frequencies not uncommonly present. These findings appear applicable to large ambulatory populations and may well influence the design of future investigations of modalities which alter ventricular arrhythmia frequency.