Open AccessThe Significance of P Wave Duration and P Wave Dispersion for Risk Assessment of Atrial Tachyarrhythmias in Patients with Corrected Tetralogy of Fallot
Author(s) -
Hallioglu Olgu,
Aytemir Kudret,
Celiker Alpay
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.2004.94569.x
Subject(s) - medicine , cardiology , tetralogy of fallot , atrial flutter , atrial fibrillation , p wave , electrocardiography , heart disease
Background: The aim of the present study was to determine the potential role of P wave duration and P wave dispersion for risk assessment of atrial tachyarrhythmias in patients with corrected tetralogy of Fallot (ToF). Methods: The maximum P wave duration, minimum P wave duration, and the P wave dispersion from the 12‐lead surface electrocardiogram of the patients and controls were measured. Electrophysiological study was performed only in the patient group. Results: The study group consisted of 25 patients with corrected ToF with a mean age of 16.4 ± 4.25 years and 25 age‐matched healthy control subjects. Patients underwent repair at a mean age of 4.6 ± 3.41 years (range: 1–19), and the mean duration of follow‐up of 11.8 ± 1.7 years (range: 9–15) after surgery. On electrophysiological study sinus node dysfunction was detected in 3 patients (12%), atrial tachyarrythmias—atrial flutter or fibrillation—in 5 patients (20%), both sinus node dysfunction and atrial flutter in 1 patient (4%), and AV conduction delay in 1 patient (4%). P wave dispersion is significantly higher in patients with atrial tachyarrhythmia inducible by electrophysiological study than in other patients (P < 0.05). A P wave dispersion value of >35 ms has a high predictive accuracy (sensitivity = 83% and specificity = 89%) for inducible atrial tachyarrhythmia in patients with corrected tetralogy of Fallot. Conclusion: P wave dispersion is an easily measured electrocardiographic marker with a good sensitivity and specificity for predicting atrial arrhythmias in patients after correction of ToF.