Electrocardiographic Features Of Patients Research Articles

Diagnostic and prognostic electrocardiographic features in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

The standard 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) represents a cornerstone for the diagnosis and evaluation of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common genetically determined heart muscle disease, due to its cost-effectiveness and wide availability. The ECG may surprisingly look normal in 4-6% of adult patients, and in less than 3% of paediatric patients, but it is abnormal in the vast majority of the remaining patients. 'Specific' features comprise pathological Q-waves, deep S-waves in V1-V3, or high R-waves in V4-V6 due to left ventricular hypertrophy with T-wave (TW) depression or negative TWs. Negative giant TWs are often found in apical HCM. However, in many patients, the ECG may only show non-specific ST-T changes with diphasic or flat TWs. An isolated inverted TW in lateral leads (usually aVL) may be the only marker for HCM in some patients. Electrocardiogram helps to diagnose sarcomeric HCM and distinguish it from different phenocopies, such as cardiac amyloidosis, glycogen storage, or Fabry disease. Electrocardiogram may also have a prognostic role, identifying high-risk features that could impact the clinical outcome.

Gender electrocardiographic features in patients with drug-induced long QT syndrome caused by antiarrhythmic therapy

Female gender is traditionally considered to be a risk factor for the QT interval prolongation and polymorphic ventricular tachycardia «torsades de pointes». However, despite a large number of studies on electrocardiographic features in patients with congenital long QT interval syndrome, there is relatively little information on gender ECG differences in the drug-induced QT interval prolongation.The aim of this study is to evaluate the gender characteristics of electrocardiographic parameters characterizing myocardial depolarization and repolarization in patients with drug-induced QT interval prolongation induced by class III antiarrhythmic drugs.67 patients with drug-induced QT interval prolongation induced class III antiarrhythmic drugs (amiodarone or sotalol) were examined, of which 38 (56.8 %) women and 29 (43.2 %) men, mean age – 57.1 ± 9.5 years. All patients underwent clinical laboratory and non-invasive electrophysiological studies, which included 12-lead ECG recording and 24-hour Holter monitoring. The patients of both genders were comparable in age and clinical characteristics, with the exception of a higher prevalence of AF in men (82.7 % vs 52.6 %, p = 0.03). The total duration of taking class III antiarrhythmic drugs in male patients was 3.79 ± 1.49 days, which significantly differed from female patients (3.11 ± 1.15 days, p = 0.044). When analyzing the initial standard ECG of patients recorded before starting antiarrhythmic drugs, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups, with the exception of large values of the corrected cardioelectrophysiological balance index (QTc/QRS) in female patients ( p = 0.037). While taking class III antiarrhythmic drugs, women had a higher duration of QTc ( p = 0.03) and JTc ( p = 0.023) intervals, as well as a dispersion of QT ( p = 0.012) and JT ( p = 0.006) intervals. According to Holter monitoring data, female patients were more likely to have an increased risk of developing non-sustained polymorphic VT ( p = 0.105).These results suggest a complex interplay between gender and repolarization that needs further investigation. Considering the gender characteristics of the process of myocardial repolarization, it should be taken into account not only when prescribing class III antiarrhythmic drugs to women, but also during preclinical and clinical development of drugs that have the QT interval prolonging effect.

A Pilot Study of Electrocardiographic Features in Patients with Obesity from a Tertiary Care Centre in Southern India (Electron).

Background: Obesity is associated with increased all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD). An electrocardiogram (ECG) may be used to screen for subtle signs of CVD or altered cardiac morphology in the obese. Methodology: This observational cross-sectional analysed ECG changes in patients with obesity at a tertiary care centre in southern India. Results: One hundred and fifty adult patients with a mean (SD) BMI of 39.9 (6.7) kg/m2 were recruited in the study after excluding those with comorbidities (diabetes mellitus, systemic hypertension) or on chronic medications (ACE inhibitors). The cohort showed a female predominance (69.3%), with a mean (SD) age of 45.4 (11.2) years. Most patients exhibited a sinus rhythm (78%), with one patient showing features of first-degree conduction block. Sinus tachycardia was seen in 32 (21.3%) patients. We observed left and right ventricular hypertrophy in five (3.3%) and three (2%) patients, respectively. Observed ECG patterns included a prolonged QTc in 16 (10.7%) patients, inverted T-waves (mostly in the inferior leads) in 39 (26%) patients and ST-segment depression (predominantly in the lateral leads) in 14 (9.3%) patients. A greater prevalence was noted for morbid obesity. No deaths were reported in our cohort. Conclusions: The predominant ECG variations in this cohort included tachycardia, atrial enlargement, ventricular hypertrophy, conduction defects, LAD, features of ischemia or old infarction and repolarization abnormalities, with a greater prevalence in morbid obesity. Further studies are needed to assess the impact of weight reducing measures on reversibility of these changes and determine the association with outcomes in obese patients.

Atrial myxoma surgery and P-wave remodeling.

Data regarding atrial electrocardiographic parameters in patients with atrial myxomas are scarce. We aimed to study atrial electrocardiographic features in patients with atrial myxomas, before and after surgery. We also analyze the incidence of atrial fibrillation during follow-up and its correlation with different P-wave indexes. In total 32 patients in sinus rhythm that underwent atrial myxoma surgery were included. Mean age was 55.0±12.6 years and 18 (56.3%) were women. Ten patients had left atrial enlargement (31.3%). Only one myxoma was located in the right atrium. At baseline seven cases of partial interatrial block (IAB) were detected (21.9%), two in the absence of left atrial enlargement. There were significant differences in atrial electrocardiographic indexes before and after surgery, including P-wave duration (108.9±17.9ms vs. 93.0±12.4ms; p <.001), partial IAB (21.9%vs. 3.1%; p=.012) and duration of P-wave terminal force in lead V1 negativity (-0.6±0.3vs. -0.5±0.3mm; p=.034). At a mean follow-up of 10.0±5.5 years, 10 patients (31.3%) had experienced at least one episode of atrial fibrillation. Post-operative P-wave duration was associated with atrial fibrillation occurrence during follow-up (Hazard ratio: 0.90, 95% confidence interval: 0.83-0.98; p =.020). Abnormalities in atrial electrocardiographic indexes are common in atrial myxomas and frequently improve after surgery. Post-operative P-wave duration is associated with atrial fibrillation occurrence during follow-up.

Electrocardiographic features of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Introduction. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a disorder of the myocardium characterized by asymmetric or symmetric left ventricular hypertrophy. It is often an inherited disorder with an autosomal dominant pattern. The aim of this study was to evaluate the electrocardiographic characteristics of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, as well as to assess the accuracy of current electrocardiographic criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy used as indicators of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Material and Methods. This retrospective study was conducted using hospital medical records of 42 patients with the diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Detailed electrocardiography analysis, apart from all the usual parameters, included the calculation of indices used to diagnose left ventricular hypertrophy including Sokolow augmented vector left, Cornell voltage, Cornell product, and Sokolow-Lyon index. Results. Sinus rhythm was present in 95.2% of patients, while atrial fibrillation was found in 4.8%. The majority of patients presented with left axis deviation. A slight positive correlation was found between the Sokolow augmented vector left index and posterolateral wall thickness (r = 0.475; p &lt; 0.05), and also between the Cornell voltage index and posterolateral wall thickness (r = 0.368; p &lt; 0.05). A borderline positive correlation was found between the Cornell product index and posterolateral wall thickness (r = 0.290; p = 0.063). Interventricular septum thickness showed no significant correlation with any of the electrocardiographic indices of left ventricular hypertrophy. Conclusion. In patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the Sokolow augmented vector left and Cornell voltage indices were the best indicators of posterolateral wall hypertrophy, whereas none of the examined indices correlated well with the interventricular septum thickness.

Electrocardiographic Features of Patients with COVID-19: An Updated Review.

Numerous systemic manifestations, including cardiac involvement in the form of myocardial infarction, myocarditis, and electrocardiographic changes, have been associated with COVID-19..In this review, the authors describe the electrocardiographic features that have been reported to date in patients affected by this disease and their possible underlying mechanisms.

Wide QRS Complex and Lateral ST-T Segment Abnormality Are Associated With Worse Clinical Outcomes in COVID-19 Patients

BackgroundThe information on electrocardiographic features of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is limited. Our aim was to determine if baseline electrocardiographic features of hospitalized COVID-19 patients are associated with markers of myocardial injury and clinical outcomes. MethodsIn this retrospective, single center cohort study, we included 223 hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. Clinical, electrocardiographic and laboratory data were collected and analyzed. Primary composite endpoint of mortality, need for invasive mechanical ventilation, or admission to the intensive care unit was assessed. ResultsForty patients (17.9%) reached the primary composite endpoint. Patients with the primary composite endpoint were more likely to have wide QRS complex (>120 ms) and lateral ST-T segment abnormality. The multivariable Cox regression showed increasing odds of the primary composite endpoint associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (odds ratio 7.76, 95% CI 2.67–22.59; p < 0.001), acute cardiac injury (odds ratio 3.14, 95% CI 1.26–7.99; p = 0.016), high flow oxygen therapy (odds ratio 2.43, 95% CI 1.05–5.62; p = 0.037) and QRS duration longer than >120 ms (odds ratio 3.62, 95% CI 1.39–9.380; p = 0.008) Patients with a wide QRS complex (>120 ms) had significantly higher median level of troponin T and pro-BNP than those without it. Patients with abnormality of lateral ST-T segment had significantly higher median level of troponin T and pro-BNP than patients without. ConclusionsThe presence of QRS duration longer than 120 ms and lateral ST-T segment abnormality were associated with worse clinical outcomes and higher levels of myocardial injury biomarkers.

Electrocardiographic characteristics and associated outcomes in patients with Takotsubo syndrome. Insights from the RETAKO registry

Abstract Background Our aim was to describe the prevalence and prognostic significance of electrocardiographic features in patients with Takotsubo syndrome (TTS). Methods Our data come from the Spanish Multicenter REgistry of TAKOtsubo syndrome (RETAKO). All patients with complete electrocardiogram were included. Results 246 patients were studied, mean age was 71.3±11.5 and 215 (87.4%) were women. ST-segment elevation was seen in 143 patients (59.1%) and was present in ≥2 wall leads in 97 (39.8%). Exclusive elevation in inferior leads was infrequent (5 - 2.0%). After 48 hours, 198 patients (88.0%) developed negative T-waves in a median of 8 leads with a mean amplitude of 0.7±0.5 mV. Mean corrected QT interval was 520±72 ms and it was independently associated with the primary endpoint of all-cause death and nonfatal cardiovascular events (p=0.002) and all-cause death (p=0.008). A higher heart rate at admission was also an independent predictor of the primary endpoint (p=0.001) and of developing acute pulmonary edema (p=0.04). ST-segment elevation with reciprocal depression was an independent predictor of all-cause death (p=0.04). Absence of ST-segment deviation was a protective factor (p=0.005) for the primary endpoint. Arrhythmias were independently associated with cardiogenic shock (p&amp;lt;0.001). Conclusion Prolonged corrected QT interval, arrhythmia, heart rate at admission and broader repolarization alterations are associated with a poor outcome in TTS. Typical ECG at admission and after 48h. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Electrocardiographic features of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia

Background. The electrocardiographic (ECG) changes which may occur during hospitalization for COVID-19 have not yet been comprehensively assessed. Patients and methods. We examined 50 patients admitted to hospital with proven COVID-19 pneumonia. At entry, all patients underwent a detailed clinical examination, 12-lead ECG, laboratory tests and arterial blood gas test. ECG was also recorded at discharge and in case of worsening clinical conditions. Results. Mean age of patients was 64 years and 72% were men. At baseline, 30% of patients had ST-T abnormalities, and 33% had left ventricular hypertrophy. During hospitalization, 26% of patients developed new ECG abnormalities which included atrial fibrillation, ST-T changes, tachy-brady syndrome, and changes consistent with acute pericarditis. One patient was transferred to intensive care unit for massive pulmonary embolism with right bundle branch block, and another for non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction. Patients free of ECG changes during hospitalization were more likely to be treated with antiretrovirals (68% vs 15%, p = 0.001) and hydroxychloroquine (89% vs 62%, p = 0.026) versus those who developed ECG abnormalities after admission. Most measurable ECG features at discharge did not show significant changes from baseline (all p>0.05) except for a slightly decrease in Cornell voltages (13±6 vs 11±5 mm; p = 0.0001) and a modest increase in the PR interval. The majority (54%) of patients with ECG abnormalities had 2 prior consecutive negative nasopharyngeal swabs. ECG abnormalities were first detected after an average of about 30 days from symptoms’ onset (range 12–51 days). Conclusions. ECG abnormalities during hospitalization for COVID-19 pneumonia reflect a wide spectrum of cardiovascular complications, exhibit a late onset, do not progress in parallel with pulmonary abnormalities and may occur after negative nasopharyngeal swabs.

An electrocardiographic sign of idiopathic ventricular tachycardia ablatable from the distal great cardiac vein

Idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias (IVAs) can originate from the distal great cardiac vein (DGCV). However, inadequate distinction sometimes occurs when electrocardiographic (ECG) characteristics are used to distinguish ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) arising from the DGCV from those arising from the adjacent left ventricular endocardium (LV ENDO). The purpose of this study was to identify distinct ECG features in patients with idiopathic IVAs originating from the DGCV. A total of 32 patients with IVAs originating from the DGCV were identified from a consecutive group of 874 patients undergoing IVAs ablation. Patients with IVAs from the DGCV were compared with a consecutively chosen series of 40 patients with IVAs in whom the site of origin was the adjacent LV ENDO. Of the 32 patients with IVAs arising from the DGCV, 13 had distinct ECG characteristics compared with the LV ENDO group. Notches in both the upstroke and downstroke of the R wave in lead III were found in all 13 patients. However, the characteristic ECG pattern in lead III was found in 1 of 40 patients in the LV ENDO group. The ECG characteristic of both early notch and late notches in lead III has sensitivity of 40.6%, specificity of 97.5%, negative predictive value of 67.2%, and positive predictive value of 92.9% to predict VAs arising from the DGCV. The distinct ECG characteristics of VAs originating from the DGCV can help differentiate from adjacent LV ENDO sites of origin.

Effects of heat stroke on surface ECG: a study on clinical outcomes

AimsClassic heat stroke is associated with high in-hospital mortality and morbidity. The relation between the ECG findings in heat stroke and the clinical outcomes of these patients has not been...

GW26-e1809 Electrocardiographic Features in Patients with Hypertensive Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

GW26-e1809 Electrocardiographic Features in Patients with Hypertensive Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

Painful left bundle branch block syndrome: Clinical and electrocardiographic features and further directions for evaluation and treatment

Painful left bundle branch block (LBBB) is a rarely diagnosed chest pain syndrome caused by intermittent LBBB in the absence of myocardial ischemia. Its prevalence, mechanism, detailed electrocardiographic (ECG) features, and effective treatments are not well described. The purpose of this study was to characterize clinical and ECG features of patients with painful LBBB syndrome with respect to the LBBB ECG morphology (in particular QRS axis and the precordial S/T wave ratio), clarify diagnostic criteria and possible mechanisms, and provide directions for further evaluation and treatment. We analyzed clinical (n = 50) and ECG (n = 15) features of patients with painful LBBB syndrome (4 patients in our practice and 46 cases identified in the literature). All 15 ECGs of patients with painful LBBB syndrome had an inferior QRS axis and a very low (<1.8) precordial S/T wave ratio, which was consistent with the "new LBBB" pattern. We report a case of painful LBBB syndrome coexisting with coronary artery disease. Right ventricular apical pacing resolved intractable chest pain in 1 case of painful LBBB. Painful LBBB ECG morphology within seconds/minutes of its onset is consistent with the new LBBB pattern with a very low (<1.8) precordial S/T wave ratio and inferior QRS axis. Painful LBBB syndrome can coexist with coronary artery disease, complicating the assessment of chest pain in the setting of LBBB. An electrophysiology study might be considered to investigate whether changing ventricular activation pattern by pacing provides consistent pain control and to select the most effective pacing configuration.

Reasons for failed ablation for idiopathic right ventricular outflow tract-like ventricular arrhythmias

The right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) is the most common site of origin of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) in patients with idiopathic VAs. A left bundle branch block, inferior axis morphology arrhythmia is the hallmark of RVOT arrhythmias. VAs from other sites of origin can mimic RVOT VAs, and ablation in the RVOT typically fails for these VAs. To analyze reasons for failed ablations of RVOT-like VAs. Among a consecutive series of 197 patients with an RVOT-like electrocardiographic (ECG) morphology who were referred for ablation, 38 patients (13 men; age 46 ± 14 years; left ventricular ejection fraction 47% ± 14%) in whom a prior procedure failed within the RVOT underwent a second ablation procedure. ECG characteristics of the VA were compared to a consecutive series of 50 patients with RVOT VAs. The origin of the VA was identified in 95% of the patients. In 28 of 38 (74%) patients, the arrhythmia origin was not in the RVOT. The VA originated from intramural sites (n = 8, 21%), the pulmonary arteries (n = 7, 18%), the aortic cusps (n = 6, 16%), and the epicardium (n = 5, 13%). The origin was within the RVOT in 10 (26%) patients. In 2 (5%) patients, the origin could not be identified despite biventricular, aortic, and epicardial mapping. The VA was eliminated in 34 of 38 (89%) patients with repeat procedures. The ECG features of patients with failed RVOT-like arrhythmias were different from the characteristics of RVOT arrhythmias. In patients in whom ablation of a VA with an RVOT-like appearance fails, mapping of the pulmonary artery, the aortic cusps, the epicardium, the left ventricular outflow tract, and the aortic cusps will help identify the correct site of origin. The 12-lead ECG is helpful in differentiating these VAs from RVOT VAs.

Clinical and Electrocardiographic Features of Patients with Congenital Long QT Syndrome

Background and Objectives：Congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS is characterized by the prolongation of the QT interval, frequent episodes of syncope and Torsades de Pointes (TdP. The clinical features and electrocardiographic findings in Korean patients with LQTS have not been reported. Subjects and Methods：We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics, ECG features and response to treatments in 11 patients (6 men, 5 women with congenital LQTS. Results：The mean age at the time of the first episode was 19.4±22.6 years old (range：1-70 years. Clinical presentations were syncope, seizure or sudden cardiac death (SCD. Predisposing factors included exercise, sudden startle or sleep. Only three patients showed familial histories of syncope or SCD. The average QTc interval was 0.58±0.05 second (range：0.47-0.61 seconds. T wave morphologies were classified as normal-appearing, broad-based, low amplitude/bifid or late onset. For its management, bblockers were used in 7 patients. In 2 patients, whose clinical events were related with to an increased vagal tone or were aggravated by βblocker therapy, mexiletine was prescribed. When bradycardia or AV block was documented, pacemakers were implanted. For 2 patients at high risk of sudden cardiac death, cardioverter-defibrillators were implanted. During a mean follow up period of 23.5±20.2 months (range：3-64 months, symptoms (cardiac arrest recurred in 1 patient. Conclusion：Congenital LQTS is a heterog-eneous disease, showing diverse clinical manifestations, ECG features, and response to pharmacological management. Further research on the genotype-phenotype relationship will refine the management, enabling gene-specific treatment of this life-threatening disease. (Korean Circulation J 2002;32 ( ( ( (9 :798-806

Polymorphous ventricular tachycardia early after acute myocardial infarction

Ventricular tachyarrhythmias are a major cause of cardiac death within the early hours of an evolving acute myocardial infarction. Diverse cytochemical and metabolic alterations develop in the ischemic and periischemic zones after coronary artery occlusion and subsequent reperfusion. 1,2 These alterations change rapidly over time and may cause various morphologically distinct ventricular arrhythmias in the different stages of an acute myocardial infarction. 1,3 One type of malignant ventricular tachyarrhythmia that appears during an acute myocardial infarction is polymorphous ventricular tachycardia (VT). 3,4 The electrophysiologic mechanism and the therapy differ from those of other forms of VT. 5,6 The occurrence of polymorphous VT in the early stages of an acute myocardial infarction has been infrequently reported, 4 although an incidence of 1.2 to 2% during overall hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction had been reported. 4 This report describes the clinical and electrocardiographic features of patients with polymorphous VT in the early stages of an evolving acute myocardial infarction.

The ballooning mitral valve in patients with the “precordial honk” or “whoop”

Eight patients with a “precordial honk” or “systolic whoop” were studied by complete right and left heart catheterization and left ventricular cineangiocardiography. The patients were divided into two groups on the basis of the absence (group 1) or presence (group 2) of significant heart disease. In all 5 patients in group 1 and in 1 in group 2, ballooning of the mitral valve into the left atrium during ventricular systole was demonstrated on the cineangiograms. The ballooning mitral valve was associated with late systolic mitral insufficiency in 4 of the 5 patients in Group 1. The incidence of the ballooning mitral valve in this laboratory was determined from 200 consecutive left ventricular cineangiocardiograms obtained from patients with a variety of cardiac lesions. Twelve of these patients (6%) had a ballooning mitral valve, and 10 of these 12 had coexisting mitral insufficiency. The electrocardiographic features of patients with a “precordial honk” or “whoop” were discussed, and possible mechanisms for the genesis of the sound were suggested. That the “precordial honk” is intracardiac in origin has been demonstrated by several investigators using intracardiac phonocardiography. This report presents anatomic evidence for these data i.e., ballooning of the mitral valve and late systolic mitral insufficiency.

The electrocardiogram in tricuspid atresia and pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum.

Electrocardiograms were studied in 37 patients with tricuspid atresia and in 20 with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum. The results were correlated with angiocardiographic findings and postmortem examinations. Differential features were as follows: 1. Biatrial hypertrophy with characteristic P "tricuspidale" was noted in 81% of the electrocardiograms in patients with tricuspid atresia, whereas this pattern was seen in only two infants with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum. 2. In tricuspid atresia, left axis deviation was usually directed posteriorly; however, anmal or right axis deviation was present in seven cases, six of whom were type 2C and the seventh, type 1A. In every case the horizontal QRS axis was oriented posteriorly. By contrast, in patients with pulmonary atresia there were no instances of left axis deviation in the frontal plane. Normal frontal plane axis was present in 12 patients, all of whom were type I; right axis deviation was evident in eight patients including the three infants with type II deformity. The horizontal QRS axis was usually directed posteriorly; however, anterior orientation occurred in several patients. 3. A typical feature of the vectorcardiogram in patients with tricuspid atresia was the increased anterior magnitude of the initial forces followed by a sharp posterior shift. The initial forces in patients with pulmonary atresia were not characteristic. 4. The electrocardiographic features in patients with tricuspid atresia and normal position of the great vessels showed decreased right ventricular potentials consistent with true hypoplasia of the right ventricle, but in patients with pulmonary atresia similar lack of right ventricular potentials could be correlated with decreased right ventricular cavity, whereas the ventricular wall was actually hypertrophied.