Relationship between fragmented QRS and microvascular function in
patients with inferior myocardial infarction
Abstract
Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the
relationship between microvascular dysfunction and the presence of
fragmented QRS(f-QRS) in patients with acute inferior myocardial
infarction(MI) who underwent primary percutaneous coronary
intervention(PPCI). Methodology:274 consecutive patients with a mean age
of 56.8 ± 9.8 who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled; patients
with TIMI 2-3 flow after PPCI were divided into two groups according to
the myocardial blush grade (MBG) 0-1 and MBG 2-3. The f-QRS includes
different morphologies of the QRS and includes an additional R wave (R
’) or notching at the lowest end of the S wave in two adjacent leads
releasing the infarct area. ECG records were taken to assess f-QRS and
ST segment resolution was assessed in the first hour after the
procedure. During angiographic examination, myocardial blush grade (MBG)
and TIMI flow were measured in the right coronary artery due to
post-procedure infarction. Results:The patients were divided into two
groups as MBG 0-1 and MBG 2-3. In general, the median age was 56.8 ±
9.8,and 49 patients(17.9%) were women. Among all study patients, f-QRS
count was 36(13.1%). In this study, 62 and 212 patients had MBG 0-1 and
MBG 2-3, respectively. f-QRS was detected in 23(21.7%) patients in the
MBG 0-1 group and 13(10.7%) patients in the MBG 2-3 group. In
multivariate logistic regression, f-QRS [OR: 2.3(1.13-5.06),p =
0.027],ST segment resolution at first hour [OR: 0.62 (0.39-0.90),p =
0.04], and TIMI frame number [OR: 1.05(1.01-1.09),p = 0.004] were
found to be associated with MBG 0-1. Conclusion:Our study showed that
the presence of f-QRS after PPCI was associated with microvascular
dysfunction in patients with inferior MI who underwent successful
PPCI.F-QRS, a simple and inexpensive parameter, can be used to assess
microvascular dysfunction in MI patients who underwent PPCI.
Keywords:microvascular dysfunction,fragmented QRS,myocardial infarction