Abstract 11159: Prolonged QRS Duration Predicts Outcomes in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

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Introduction: QRS widening on the surface electrocardiogram (ECG) is a marker of disease progression in heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction. We hypothesized that prolonged QRS duration would similarly identify patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) at high risk for cardiovascular (CV) events. Methods: We examined the relationship of baseline QRS duration to primary outcome [composite of CV death, aborted cardiac arrest, or HF hospitalization (HFH)] and HFH alone in TOPCAT, a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of spironolactone in HFPEF. QRS duration was analyzed as a dichotomous variable (≥ 120 ms or < 120 ms). Multivariable analyses were conducted including variables that were significantly associated with QRS duration ≥ 120 ms (Table 1). Analyses were conducted in the entire study cohort as well as in separate analyses for only subjects enrolled from the Americas or from Russia/Georgia independently. Results: QRS duration was known in 3426 of 3445 TOPCAT patients. Compared to those with QRS duration < 120ms, 613 (17.9%) subjects had a QRS duration ≥ 120 ms and were older (72.9 years vs. 67.8 years; p < 0.0001) and more likely to be men (62% vs. 45%; p<0.0001). A QRS duration ≥ 120 ms was independently associated with an increased risk of primary outcome and HFH in the entire study cohort and in the subset of patients enrolled in the Americas but was of borderline statistical significance in Russia/Georgia (Table 1). No statistical interaction was observed between treatment with spironolactone and QRS duration (p value for interaction= 0.33). Conclusions: QRS duration identifies HFPEF subjects at a higher risk of adverse clinical outcomes; spironolactone had a similar effect on outcomes independent of QRS duration. This easily obtainable marker may be an important component of risk stratification in this syndrome.