Open AccessFragmented QRS Complexes on 12‐Lead ECG: A Marker of Cardiac Sarcoidosis as Detected by Gadolinium Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Author(s) -
Homsi Mohamed,
Alsayed Lamaan,
Safadi Bilal,
Mahenthiran Jo,
Das Mithilesh K.
Publication year - 2009
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.2009.00320.x
Subject(s) - medicine , cardiology , cardiac magnetic resonance imaging , qrs complex , bundle branch block , magnetic resonance imaging , coronary artery disease , left bundle branch block , electrocardiography , sarcoidosis , radiology , heart failure
Background: Fragmented QRS complexes (fQRS) on a 12‐lead ECG are a marker of myocardial scar in patients with coronary artery disease. Cardiac sarcoidosis is also associated with myocardial granuloma formation and scarring. We evaluated the significance of fQRS on a 12‐lead ECG compared to Gadolinium‐delayed enhancement images (GDE) in cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). Method and results: The ECGs of patients (n = 17, mean age: 52 ± 11 years, male: 53%) with established diagnosis of sarcoidosis who underwent a CMR for evaluation of cardiac involvement were studied. ECG abnormalities included bundle branch block, Q wave, and fQRS. fQRS, Q wave, and bundle branch block were present in 9 (53%), 1 (6%), and 4 (24%) patients, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of fQRS for detecting abnormal GDE were 100% and 80%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of Q waves were 11% and 100%, respectively. Conclusions: fQRS on a 12‐lead ECG in patients with suspected cardiac sarcoidosis are associated with cardiac involvement as detected by GDE on CMR.