QRS fragmentation is associated with increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias in high-risk patients; Data from the SMASH 1 Study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

QRS fragmentation (fQRS), defined as the presence of additional spikes within the QRS complex, has been associated with myocardial conduction abnormalities and arrhythmogenicity.

Objective

We aimed to assess whether fQRS is associated with incident ventricular arrhythmias (VA) in high-risk patients treated with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) for primary and secondary prevention.

Methods

In a prospective observational multicenter study, we included 495 patients treated with ICD. fQRS was analyzed according to previously validated criteria, by two physicians blinded for outcome data. Incident VA were obtained from ICD recordings.

Results

ECG recordings interpretable for fQRS were available in 459 patients (93%), aged 66 ± 12 years with

SUBMITTER: Sourour N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9484029 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature