N Ishimoto1, M Ito, M Kinoshita. 1. First Department of Internal Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Japan. ito@belle.shiga-med.ac.jp
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The relation between abnormalities in the signal-averaged P wave and atrial size has not been determined in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) without structural heart disease. METHODS: Signal-averaged electrocardiograms of P waves were recorded in 38 patients with idiopathic PAF and 34 control subjects. Filtered P-wave duration (FPD) and root-mean-square voltages for the last 20 ms of the vector magnitude were measured. Atrial volume was calculated by cine magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: FPD was longer (131.7 +/- 10.9 ms vs 120.8 +/- 8.6 ms, P <.0001) and root-mean-square voltage was lower (2.89 +/- 1.29 microV vs 3.62 +/- 1.48 microV, P <.05) in the PAF group than in control subjects. However, the various atrial volumes were similar in the 2 groups. In controls, FPD was significantly correlated with left (r = 0.593, P <.0001) and total (r = 0.492, P <.005) atrial volume but not with right atrial volume. In patients with PAF, no significant correlations were found between FPD and any of the atrial volumes. Elderly patients with PAF (age > or =60 years) showed longer FPD than younger patients with PAF (139.2 +/- 9.4 ms vs 125.6 +/- 8.0 ms, P <.0001). CONCLUSIONS: FPD is influenced by the left and total atrial volumes in the normal heart without PAF. Prolonged FPD seems to be a useful predictor of idiopathic PAF among patients without atrial enlargement, especially in the elderly.
BACKGROUND: The relation between abnormalities in the signal-averaged P wave and atrial size has not been determined in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) without structural heart disease. METHODS: Signal-averaged electrocardiograms of P waves were recorded in 38 patients with idiopathic PAF and 34 control subjects. Filtered P-wave duration (FPD) and root-mean-square voltages for the last 20 ms of the vector magnitude were measured. Atrial volume was calculated by cine magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS:FPD was longer (131.7 +/- 10.9 ms vs 120.8 +/- 8.6 ms, P <.0001) and root-mean-square voltage was lower (2.89 +/- 1.29 microV vs 3.62 +/- 1.48 microV, P <.05) in the PAF group than in control subjects. However, the various atrial volumes were similar in the 2 groups. In controls, FPD was significantly correlated with left (r = 0.593, P <.0001) and total (r = 0.492, P <.005) atrial volume but not with right atrial volume. In patients with PAF, no significant correlations were found between FPD and any of the atrial volumes. Elderly patients with PAF (age > or =60 years) showed longer FPD than younger patients with PAF (139.2 +/- 9.4 ms vs 125.6 +/- 8.0 ms, P <.0001). CONCLUSIONS:FPD is influenced by the left and total atrial volumes in the normal heart without PAF. Prolonged FPD seems to be a useful predictor of idiopathic PAF among patients without atrial enlargement, especially in the elderly.
Authors: Ulrik Dixen; Christian Joens; Bo V Rasmussen; Jan Parner; Gorm B Jensen Journal: Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol Date: 2004-10 Impact factor: 1.468
Authors: Abdenasser Drighil; John E Madias; Hanane El Mosalami; Nadia El Badaoui; Bahija Mouine; Wafae Fadili; Beenyouness Ramdani; Ahmed Bennis Journal: Indian Pacing Electrophysiol J Date: 2007-04-01