Open AccessThe prognostic significance of T‐wave inversion according to ECG lead group during long‐term follow‐up in the general population
Author(s) -
Istolahti Tiia,
Lyytikäinen LeoPekka,
Huhtala Heini,
Nieminen Tuomo,
Kähönen Mika,
Lehtimäki Terho,
Eskola Markku,
Anttila Ismo,
Jula Antti,
Rissanen Harri,
Nikus Kjell,
Hernesniemi Jussi
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
annals of noninvasive electrocardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.494
H-Index - 48
eISSN - 1542-474X
pISSN - 1082-720X
DOI - 10.1111/anec.12799
Subject(s) - medicine , interquartile range , hazard ratio , confidence interval , cardiology , proportional hazards model , t wave , population , electrocardiography , environmental health
Background Inverted T waves in the electrocardiogram (ECG) have been associated with coronary heart disease (CHD) and mortality. The pathophysiology and prognostic significance of T‐wave inversion may differ between different anatomical lead groups, but scientific data related to this issue is scarce. Methods A representative sample of Finnish subjects ( n = 6,354) aged over 30 years underwent a health examination including a 12‐lead ECG in the Health 2000 survey. ECGs with T‐wave inversions were divided into three anatomical lead groups (anterior, lateral, and inferior) and were compared to ECGs with no pathological T‐wave inversions in multivariable‐adjusted Fine–Gray and Cox regression hazard models using CHD and mortality as endpoints. Results The follow‐up for both CHD and mortality lasted approximately fifteen years (median value with interquartile ranges between 14.9 and 15.3). In multivariate‐adjusted models, anterior and lateral (but not inferior) T‐wave inversions associated with increased risk of CHD (HR: 2.37 [95% confidence interval 1.20–4.68] and 1.65 [1.27–2.15], respectively). In multivariable analyses, only lateral T‐wave inversions associated with increased risk of mortality in the entire study population (HR 1.51 [1.26–1.81]) as well as among individuals with no CHD at baseline (HR 1.59 [1.29–1.96]). Conclusions The prognostic information of inverted T waves differs between anatomical lead groups. T‐wave inversion in the anterior and lateral lead groups is independently associated with the risk of CHD, and lateral T‐wave inversion is also associated with increased risk of mortality. Inverted T wave in the inferior lead group proved to be a benign phenomenon.