BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in T-wave alternans (TWA) and heart rate variability (HRV) among patients with myocardial infarction with or without diabetes mellitus and the relationship between TWA and HRV. METHODS: The study population included 133 patients: 59 patients with myocardial infarction (MI) (group post-MI without diabetes); 40 myocardial infarction with diabetes (group post-MI with diabetes); and 34 controls (group control). Cardiac autonomic neuropathy assessment was made using frequency domain (low-frequency [LF] power, high-frequency [HF] power, LF/HF) and time domain (SDNN, standard deviation of the averaged normal sinus RR intervals for all 5-minute segments [SDANN]) of HRV indexes. Both TWA and HRV were measured on the Holter monitor, and TWA was calculated automatically using the time-domain modified moving average method. RESULTS: TWA values differed significantly between controls (40 +/- 16 muV) and group post-MI with (62 +/- 17 muV, P < 0.05) or without (60 +/- 15 muV, P < 0.05) diabetes. In addition, group post-MI with diabetes had lower standard deviation of all normal sinus RR intervals (SDNN), standard deviation of the averaged normal sinus RR intervals for all 5-minute segments (SDANN), and HF, indicating depressed vagus nerve activity, and higher LF/HF ratio, indicating elevated sympathetic nerve activity, than controls and group post-MI without diabetes (P < 0.05). TWA correlated with SDNN and SDANN (r = 0.29, 0.31; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: TWA was elevated in patients following myocardial infarction, both in those with or without diabetes. Myocardial infarction patients had a lower time domain, HF, and a higher LF/HF ratio HRV, especially in those with diabetes. The analysis of modified moving agerage (MMA)-based TWA and HRV can be a useful tool for identifying post-myocardial infarction patients at high risk of arrhythmic events.