T-wave reversal in the augmented unipolar right arm electrocardiographic lead is associated with increased risk of sudden death

Evaluating of Red Blood Cell Distribution Width, Comorbidities and Electrocardiographic Ratios as Predictors of Prognosis in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension is a rare condition that impairs patients' quality of life and life expectancy. The development of noninvasive instruments may help elucidate the prognosis of this cardiorespiratory disease. We aimed to evaluate the utility of routinely performed noninvasive test results as prognostic markers in patients with pulmonary hypertension. We enrolled 198 patients with mean pulmonary artery pressure >25 mmHg measured at cardiac catheterisation or echocardiographic pulmonary artery systolic pressure > 40 mmHg and tricuspid regurgitation Vmax >2.9 m/s, and clinical information regarding management and follow-up studies from the date of diagnosis. Multivariate analysis revealed that female sex [HR: 0.21, (95% CI: 0.07-0.64); p = 0.006], the presence of collagenopathies [HR: 8.63, (95% CI: 2.38-31.32); p = 0.001], an increased red blood cell distribution width [HR: 1.25, (95% CI: 1.04-1.49); p = 0.017] and an increased electrocardiographic P axis (P°)/T axis (T°) ratio [HR: 0.93, (95% CI: 0.88-0.98); p = 0.009] were severity-associated factors, while older age [HR: 1.57, (95% CI: 1.04-1.28); p = 0.006], an increased QRS axis (QRS°)/T° ratio [HR: 1.21, (95% CI: 1.09-1.34); p < 0.001], forced expiratory volume in 1 s [HR: 0.94, (95% CI: 0.91-0.98); p = 0.01] and haematocrit [HR: 0.93, (95% CI: 0.87-0.99); p = 0.04] were mortality-associated factors. Our results support the importance of red blood cell distribution width, electrocardiographic ratios and collagenopathies for assessing pulmonary hypertension prognosis.

The prognostic significance of a positive or isoelectric T wave in lead aVR in patients with acute coronary syndrome and ischemic ECG changes in the presenting ECG - Long-term follow-up data of the TACOS study

BACKGROUND

A positive T wave in lead aVR (aVRT+) is an independent prognostic predictor of cardiovascular mortality in the general population as well as in cardiovascular disease.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We evaluated the prognostic impact of aVRT+ in an ECG recorded as close to hospital discharge as possible in acute coronary syndrome patients (n = 527). We divided the patients into three categories based on the findings in the admission ECG: ST elevation, global ischemia and other ST/T changes.

RESULTS

In the whole study population, and in all the three ECG subgroups, the 10-year all-cause mortality rate was higher in the aVRT+ group than in the aVRT- group. In Cox regression analysis, the age and gender adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for aVRT+ to predict all-cause mortality in the whole study population was 1.43 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12-1.83; p = 0.004). To predict cardiovascular mortality, the age and gender adjusted HR for aVRT+ was 1.54 (95% CI 1.14-2.07; p = 0.005) in the whole study population and 2.07 (95% CI 1.07-4.03; p = 0.032) in the category with other ST/T changes.

CONCLUSION

In ACS patients with or without ST elevation, but with ischemic ST/T changes in their presenting ECG, a positive or isoelectric T wave in lead aVR in an ECG recorded in the subacute in-hospital stage is associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality during long-term follow-up. Clinicians should pay attention to this simple ECG finding at hospital discharge.

Usefulness of positive T wave in lead aVR in predicting arrhythmic events and mortality in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND

Positive T wave in lead aVR (TaVR) has been associated with increased risk of adverse events in patients with various cardiovascular diseases.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and prognostic significance of positive TaVR in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

METHODS

This study investigated 421 consecutive patients with HCM (177 women; age 51.1 ± 14.9 years). Admission electrocardiogram was examined for the presence of a positive TaVR. The primary endpoint was defined as a composite of major arrhythmic events (MAEs), which included sudden cardiac death, sustained ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, or appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy. Cardiovascular mortality and all-cause death were evaluated as secondary endpoints.

RESULTS

During median follow-up period of 6.0 years (interquartile range 4.0-11.6 years), 53 patients (12.6%) experienced the primary endpoint. On multivariable competing analysis, after adjusting for other confounding factors, the presence of positive TaVR was found to be an independent and strong predictor of the primary composite endpoint. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic analysis, net reclassification index, and integrated discrimination improvement showed that the addition of positive TaVR to conventional HCM risk factors improved prediction of arrhythmic events. However, in subgroup analysis, a positive TaVR lost statistical significance in patients with apical HCM but remained significant in patients with all other hypertrophy patterns.

CONCLUSION

Positive TaVR is associated with MAE in HCM patients, independent of and incremental to traditional risk factors.

T wave positivity in lead aVR is associated with mortality in patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy

PURPOSE

Positive T wave polarity in lead aVR (TPaVR) is associated with a poor prognostic indicator in patients with heart failure reduce ejection fraction (HFrEF). Our aim was to investigate the relationship between positive TPaVR and mortality in patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D).

METHODS

We included retrospectively 224 HFrEF patients with CRT-D in sinus rhythm. Laboratory, electrocardiographic (ECG), and echocardiographic data were recorded. T wave polarity was measured in lead DI, DII, and aVR from surface ECG.

RESULTS

The patients were divided as living and deceased. They followed for 2.5 ± 0.9 years. Thirty-three patients (14.7%) died. Six patients (18.2%) were TPaVR positive before CRT-D and this number increased to 22 (66.6%) after CRT-D in the deceased group. Pulse (p = 0.049), hyperlipidemia (p = 0.022), and NT-proBNP levels were higher in the deceased group (p = 0.001). TPaVR before CRT-D (p < 0.001) and TPaVR after CRT-D (p < 0.001) were significantly positive in the deceased group. Positive TPaVR after CRT-D was the only independent predictor for mortality in binominal logistic regression analysis (OR 1.211, 95% CI 1.105-1.328, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In CRT-D patients, a positive TPaVR in surface ECG may be a strong mortality indicator.

Association of Lead aVR T-wave Amplitude With Cardiovascular Events or Mortality Among Prevalent Dialysis Patients

In dialysis patients, electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities are common. However, the associations between the T-wave of the lead aVR (aVRT) amplitude and cardiovascular (CV) events or total mortality are unknown. We performed a prospective, observational cohort study of prevalent hemodialysis patients (N = 474), followed for 4 years. Outcomes were composite CV events and all-cause mortality. Predictors were baseline aVRT and other ECG findings. ECG parameters were analyzed in three models: model 1, univariate; model 2, basic adjustments; and model 3, model 2 plus serum albumin, C-reactive protein level, and NT-proBNP. By Cox analysis, aVRT was best associated with both endpoints through model 1 to 3 compared to other ECG findings. Patients categorized according to aVRT amplitude showed a step-by-step increase in hazard ratios for both endpoints. The aVRT amplitude level was significantly associated with not only composite CV events but also with all-cause mortality in prevalent dialysis patients.