Relationship between fragmented QRS complexes and ejection fraction recovery in anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing thrombolytic treatment

This study investigated the role of fragmented QRS complex (fQRS) in predicting insufficient ejection fraction (EF) recovery in acute anterior STEMI. Methods Patients with acute anterior STEMI who received thrombolytic therapy were prospectively enrolled in this study. Twelve-lead electrocardiography (ECG) was obtained from all patients during admission and 24 and 48 h after admission. We divided the patients into two groups according to the presence of fQRS appearance within 48 h: absence of fQRS in any lead (fQRS−), and its presence in two or more contiguous leads (fQRS+). All patients were evaluated with transthoracic echocardiography at admission, and at follow-up 6 and 12 months later. Results A total of 138 consecutive patients were included in the study. Seventy-three patients (52.9%) had fQRS in the ECG. EF recovery in the fQRS(+) group was significantly lower than that of the fQRS(−) group (39% vs. 43.9%, P
Source: Coronary Artery Disease - Category: Cardiology Tags: STEMI Source Type: research