Open AccessSignal‐Averaged P Wave Duration and the Dimensions of the Atria
Author(s) -
Dixen Ulrik,
Joens Christian,
Rasmussen Bo V.,
Parner Jan,
Jensen Gorm B.
Publication year - 2004
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/j.1542-474x.2004.94533.x
Subject(s) - medicine , cardiology , signal averaged electrocardiogram , atrium (architecture) , left atrial enlargement , p wave , linear regression , linear correlation , electrocardiography , sinus rhythm , atrial fibrillation , machine learning , computer science , statistics , mathematics
Background: Delay of atrial electrical conduction measured as prolonged signal‐averaged P wave duration (SAPWD) could be due to atrial enlargement. Here, we aimed to compare different atrial size parameters obtained from echocardiography with the SAPWD measured with a signal‐averaged electrocardiogram (SAECG). Methods: In 74 patients scheduled for elective echocardiography, an SAECG was recorded directly after the echocardiogram. We measured the SAPWD and registered clinical characteristics. The correlation between the SAPWD and the left atrial diameter (LAD), left atrial volume (LAV), right atrial volume (RAV), and total atrial volume (TAV) was analyzed by linear regression analyses. The effect of concomitant risk factors on TAV and the SAPWD was examined. Results: Linear regression analysis showed that the correlation between the SAPWD and the LAD was significant (R 2 = 0.11, P = 0.03). However, LAV (R 2 = 0.15, P = 0.009), RAV (R 2 = 0.27, P = 0.0003), and TAV (R 2 = 0.37, P < 0.0001) were more strongly correlated to the SAPWD. The TAV and the SAPWD were not significantly associated with coexisting risk factors. Conclusions: The SAPWD is significantly correlated to the atrial size; most strongly to the TAV. The size of the right atrium, with the sinus node area, appears to affect the SAPWD.