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P-wave dispersion increases in prehypertension

Goksel Cagirci1, Serkan Cay, Ozlem Karakurt

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Ministry of Health Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Research and Educational Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.

Blood Pressure
|April 9, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Prehypertension is linked to increased P-wave duration and dispersion, suggesting a higher risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). This study compared P-wave parameters in prehypertensive versus normotensive individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Electrophysiology
  • Hypertension Research

Background:

  • Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia.
  • Prolonged P-wave duration and increased P-wave dispersion are known predictors of AF.
  • Prehypertension, defined by JNC7 guidelines, precedes hypertension and is associated with cardiovascular risks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between prehypertension and P-wave dispersion.
  • To determine if prehypertensive individuals exhibit altered P-wave parameters compared to normotensive individuals.

Main Methods:

  • Seventy-eight prehypertensive and 78 normotensive patients were enrolled.
  • Standard 12-lead ECGs were recorded for all participants.
  • Transthoracic echocardiographic examinations were performed.

Main Results:

  • Pmax and P-wave dispersion were significantly higher in the prehypertensive group compared to the normotensive group (p<0.001 for both).
  • Specific values: Pmax 103.59+/-19.8 ms vs 93.59+/-13.4 ms; P-wave dispersion 50.51+/-18.6 ms vs 39.85+/-10.6 ms.

Conclusions:

  • Prehypertensive patients demonstrate increased Pmax and P-wave dispersion compared to normotensive individuals.
  • These findings suggest a potentially elevated risk of developing atrial fibrillation in individuals with prehypertension.
Abstract

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