THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FRONTAL QRS-T ANGLE AND THE SEVERITY OF
RECENTLY DIAGNOSED CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE
Abstract
Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) which is
characterized by persistent airflow restriction and respiratory
symptoms. Studies demonstrated that cardiac arrhythmias, cardiovascular
mortality and cardiac death increased in these patients due to altered
myocardial repolarization. Frontal QRS-T angle is a novel marker of
myocardial depolarization and repolarization heterogeneity. In this
study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between frontal QRS-T
angle and COPD severity in patients with newly diagnosed COPD. Methods:
A total of 104 newly diagnosed COPD patients without any significant
comorbidities were included in this study. Patients were divided into
two groups according to GOLD stage as follows: patients with mild and
moderate COPD (group I) and severe and very severe COPD (group II).
Frontal QRS-T angle was calculated from the automatic report of the
electrocardiography device . Results: Frontal QRS-T angle was
significantly higher in group II patients compared to in group I
patients (43.0 [25.5-60.0] vs. 20.0 [12.0-32.0], P <
0.001). The best cut-off value of frontal QRS-T angle for predicting
severe-very severe COPD was ≥ 34.5°. Correlation analysis showed that
frontal QRS-T angle was negatively correlated with FEV1/FVC (r =
–0.524, P < 0.001) and MEF25-75 (r = –0.453, P <
0.001). In linear regression analysis, It was found that MEF25-75 (β:
–0.593, P = 0.006) was the only independent predictor of the frontal
QRS-T angle. Conclusions: Frontal QRS-T angle, an easily obtainable
marker form surface electrocardiography. In this study, we have shown
for the first time that frontal QRS-T angle was significantly increased
in patients with severe and very severe COPD.