BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS: Interatrial block (IAB: P-duration > 100 ms) is poorly recognized in hospital populations. In addition to reduced left atrial function and left atrial enlargement it predicts atrial fibrillation and other arrthymias. P-terminal force (Ptf): +/- biphasic P in lead V(1) > or = area of 1 small square on the electrocardiogram (ECG) grid also indicates left atrial abnormality, particularly left atrial enlargement. These 2 should be related. We determined the intercorrelation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two blinded observers evaluated 500 consecutive patients' ECGs for both Ptf and IAB utilizing all 12 leads for IAB and V(1) for Ptf. Measurement differences were resolved in a consensus conference. Among 482 usable ECGs, IAB and Ptf were strongly and significantly correlated (chi(2) = 68.041; P < or = .001). CONCLUSION: IAB and Ptf are significantly and strongly correlated and one should be expected in the majority of cases when the other is recognized.
BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS: Interatrial block (IAB: P-duration > 100 ms) is poorly recognized in hospital populations. In addition to reduced left atrial function and left atrial enlargement it predicts atrial fibrillation and other arrthymias. P-terminal force (Ptf): +/- biphasic P in lead V(1) > or = area of 1 small square on the electrocardiogram (ECG) grid also indicates left atrial abnormality, particularly left atrial enlargement. These 2 should be related. We determined the intercorrelation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two blinded observers evaluated 500 consecutive patients' ECGs for both Ptf and IAB utilizing all 12 leads for IAB and V(1) for Ptf. Measurement differences were resolved in a consensus conference. Among 482 usable ECGs, IAB and Ptf were strongly and significantly correlated (chi(2) = 68.041; P < or = .001). CONCLUSION: IAB and Ptf are significantly and strongly correlated and one should be expected in the majority of cases when the other is recognized.
Authors: Richard Petersson; Hilde M Berge; Gard F Gjerdalen; Jonas Carlson; Fredrik Holmqvist; Kjetil Steine; Pyotr G Platonov Journal: Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol Date: 2014-02-12 Impact factor: 1.468