Open AccessQRS Axis deviation in Nigeria women during normal pregnancy
Author(s) -
NN Iwobi,
DV Dapper
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
west african journal of medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0189-160X
DOI - 10.4314/wajm.v21i3.28040
Subject(s) - medicine , qrs complex , left axis deviation , pregnancy , cardiology , obstetrics , incidence (geometry) , heart rate , electrocardiography , blood pressure , genetics , biology , physics , optics
The effect of pregnancy on the heart rate, respiratory rate, QRS axis and QRS complex duration of the ECG was investigated in 41 pregnant compared to 39 non pregnant age and height matched Nigerian subjects. Results obtained show that pregnancy had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on heart rate, respiratory rite and QRS complex duration of the ECG. However, the QRS axis showed significant (p < 0.05) left ward deviation in pregnant subjects compared to non-pregnant subjects. The magnitude of the deviation apparently increases as pregnancy progresses. In addition, chi-squared analysis revealed significant association (p < 0.001) between the incidence of left axis deviation in pregnant subjects compared to non-pregnant subjects. Our findings highlight the need for caution in the interpretation of the ECG during the antenatal period.