Muacevic A, Adler JR. The Importance of Frontal QRS-T Angle in Predicting the Effectiveness and Success of Thrombolytic Therapy in Patients With Acute Pulmonary Embolism.
Cureus 2023;
15:e33268. [PMID:
36741663 PMCID:
PMC9891712 DOI:
10.7759/cureus.33268]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
The frontal QRS-T angle (fQRS-T) is associated with myocardial ischemia and ventricular arrhythmias. On the other hand, acute pulmonary embolism (APE) is a major risk factor for cardiac adverse events. This research aimed to determine whether the fQRS-T, a marker of ventricular heterogeneity, can be used to predict successful thrombolytic therapy in patients with APE.
METHODS
This was a retrospective observational study. Patients diagnosed with APE and hospitalized in the intensive care unit between 2020 and 2022 were included in the research. A total of 136 individuals with APEs were enrolled in this research. The patients were divided into two groups: thrombolytic-treated (n=64) and non-treated (moderate to severe risk, n=72). An ECG was conducted for each patient, and echocardiography was performed.
RESULTS
The mean age of the thrombolytic group was 58.2±17.6 years, with 35 females (55.1% of the group) and 29 males (44.9%). The non-thrombolytic group had a mean age of 63.1±16.2, with 41 females (56.5%) and 31 males (43.5%). Respiratory rate, heart rate, and fQRS-T were higher in the thrombolytic group, and oxygen saturation ratio and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were higher in the non-thrombolytic group (p=0.006, p<0.001, p=0.021; p<0.001, p=0.015, p<0.001, respectively). In the thrombolytic therapy group, comparing pre- and post-treatment ECG data revealed a statistically significant change in the fQRS-T value (p=0.019).
CONCLUSION
The fQRS-T may provide important clues for the successful treatment of APEs.
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