Relationship between P wave dispersion, left ventricular mass index and blood pressure

The study of arterial hypertension risk factors in children guarantees the establishment of health policies to avoid complications associated with this illness in the future. The highest values of P-wave dispersion during sinus rhythm are pointed as predictors of atrial fibrillation in adulthood since there is an association between arterial hypertension, P-wave dispersion and left ventricular hypertrophy. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between blood pressure, left ventricular mass index and P-wave dispersion in the pediatric population.

In the frame of the PROCDEC II project, children from 8 to 11 years old, without known heart conditions were studied. Arterial blood pressure was measured in all the children; a 12-lead surface ECG and an echocardiogram were done as well.

Left ventricular mass index mean values for normotensive (25.21 ± 5.96 g/m²) and hypertensive (30.38 ± 7.39 g/m²) children showed significant differences (p= 0.000). The mean value of the left atrial area was significantly different (p= 0.000) when comparing prehypertensive (10.98 ± 2.23 cm2) and hypertensive (12.21 ± 1.27 cm²) children to normotensive ones (10.66 ± 2.38 cm²). The correlation of P-wave dispersion and the left ventricular mass index showed an r= 0.87 and p= 0.000.

P-wave dispersion is increased in pre- and hypertensive children compared to normotensive ones. A dependence of the P-wave dispersion of the left ventricular mass index was found in hypertensive children.