P-wave morphology correlation with left atrial volumes assessed by 2-dimensional echocardiography

To correlate prespecified P-wave morphologies with echocardiographically derived left atrial volumes (LAVs), we studied a convenience sample of 71 patients with predominantly normal left ventricular systolic function (mean ejection fraction = 58.2% +/- 6.6%) who underwent concurrent 2-dimensional echocardiogram and 12-lead electrocardiogram. Left atrial volume was calculated from apical end-systolic images by the biplane method of disks and was indexed for body surface area (BSA). Electrocardiograms were assessed manually with calipers, measuring leading edge to leading edge. Patients included 34 men and 37 women with a mean age of 53 +/- 14 years. P-wave duration/PR-segment duration in lead II and depth and duration of terminal P wave in lead V1 (P terminal force) correlate poorly with LAV and provided only modest predictive power (area under receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.466-0.619 and r = 0.30-0.42, P = .014-.021). Total P-wave duration in lead II correlated moderately (r = 0.47, P < .001) and predicted LAV (LAV/BSA = 8.0 + 0.2 [P-wave duration in lead II]), as did P-wave area in lead II (r = 0.49, P < .001) (LAV/BSA = 18.6 + 1.7 [P-wave duration in lead II]). The 4 P-wave morphologies were found to be poorly sensitive but highly specific for left atrial enlargement.