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- Holmqvist, Fredrik, et al.
(author)
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Variable interatrial conduction illustrated in a hypertrophic cardiomyopathy population
- 2007
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In: Annals of Noninvasive Electrocardiology. - 1082-720X. ; 12:3, s. 227-236
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) have a high incidence of atrial fibrillation. They also have a longer P-wave duration than healthy controls, indicating conduction alterations. Previous studies have demonstrated orthogonal P-wave morphology alterations in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. In the present study, the P-wave morphology of patients with HCM was compared with that of matched controls in order to explore the nature of the atrial conduction alterations. Methods and Results: A total of 65 patients (45 men, mean age 49 +/- 15) with HCM were included. The control population (n = 65) was age and gender matched (45 men, mean age 49 +/- 15). Five minutes of 12-lead ECG was recorded. The data were subsequently transformed to orthogonal lead data, and unfiltered signal-averaged P-wave analysis was performed. The P-wave duration was longer in the HCM patients compared to the controls (149 +/- 22 vs 130 +/- 16 ms, P < 0.0001). Examination of the P-wave morphology demonstrated changes in conduction patterns compatible with interatrial conduction block of varying severity in both groups, but a higher degree of interatrial block seen in the HCM population. These changes were most prominent in the Leads Y and Z. Conclusion: The present study suggests that the longer P-wave duration observed in HCM patients may be explained by a higher prevalence of block in one or more of the interatrial conduction routes.
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