A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Incidence rates, correlates, and prognosis of electrocardiographic P-wave abnormalities - a nationwide population-based study
Authors: Lehtonen AO, Langen VL, Puukka PJ, Kähönen M, Nieminen MS, Jula AM, Niiranen TJ
Publisher: CHURCHILL LIVINGSTONE INC MEDICAL PUBLISHERS
Publication year: 2017
Journal: Journal of Electrocardiology
Journal name in source: JOURNAL OF ELECTROCARDIOLOGY
Journal acronym: J ELECTROCARDIOL
Volume: 50
Issue: 6
First page : 925
Last page: 932
Number of pages: 8
ISSN: 0022-0736
eISSN: 1532-8430
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2017.07.004
Background: Scant data exist on incidence rates, correlates, and prognosis of electrocardiographic P-wave abnormalities in the general population.
Methods: We recorded ECG and measured conventional cardiovascular risk factors in 5667 Finns who were followed up for incident atrial fibrillation (AF). We obtained repeat ECGs from 3089 individuals I I years later.
Results: The incidence rates of prolonged P-wave duration, abnormal P terminal force (PTF), left P-wave axis deviation, and right P-wave axis deviation were 16.0%, 7.4%, 3.4%, and 2.2%, respectively. Older age and higher BMI were associated with incident prolonged P-wave duration and abnormal PTF (P <= 0.01). Higher blood pressure was associated with incident prolonged P wave duration and right P-wave axis deviation (P <= 0.01). During follow-up, only prolonged P wave duration predicted AF (multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio, 1.38; P = 0.001).
Conclusions: Modifiable risk factors associate with P-wave abnormalities that are common and may represent intermediate steps of atrial cardiomyopathy on a pathway leading to AF.
