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Methods for ECG Evaluation of Indicators of Cardiac Risk, and Susceptibility to Aconitine-induced Arrhythmias in Rats Following Status Epilepticus
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QRS duration predicts sudden cardiac death in hypertensive patients undergoing intensive medical therapy: the LIFE

Daniel P Morin1, Lasse Oikarinen, Matti Viitasalo

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA, USA.

European Heart Journal
|August 19, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Prolonged QRS duration independently predicts sudden cardiac death (SCD) in treated hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). This finding holds true even when accounting for other risk factors and treatment changes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Hypertension Research
  • Electrocardiography

Background:

  • Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and hypertension are significant risk factors for cardiovascular events.
  • Sudden cardiac death (SCD) remains a major concern in managing hypertensive patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if QRS duration predicts SCD in hypertensive patients with LVH.
  • To assess the predictive value of QRS duration beyond established risk factors.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 9193 hypertensive patients with electrocardiographic evidence of LVH.
  • Follow-up over 4.8 years, monitoring for SCD.
  • Multivariable analysis including treatment, blood pressure changes, and baseline characteristics.

Main Results:

  • 178 patients (1.9%) experienced SCD.
  • QRS duration was an independent predictor of SCD (HR per 10 ms increase = 1.22, P < 0.001).
  • QRS duration remained significant after controlling for left bundle branch block and LVH severity changes.

Conclusions:

  • Prolonged QRS duration identifies hypertensive patients at increased risk for SCD.
  • This risk is present even with aggressive antihypertensive therapy and LVH treatment.
  • QRS duration is a valuable prognostic marker in this patient population.
Abstract

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