Predictive value of P wave terminal force in lead V1 for atrial fibrillation: A meta-analysis

Several studies have explored the association between P wave terminal force in lead V1 (PTFV1) and risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) occurrence, but the results were controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to examine whether abnormal PTFV1 could predict AF occurrence.

We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases for articles published before August 25, 2018. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) of AF occurrence were calculated using random-effects models to explore the significance of PTFV1.

A total of 12 studies examining 51,372 participants were included, with 9 studies analyzing PTFV1 as a categorical variable and 4 studies analyzing PTFV1 as a continuous variable. As a categorical variable, abnormal PTFV1 (>0.04 mm s) was significantly associated with AF occurrence with a pooled OR of 1.39 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-1.79, p = .01). Subgroup analysis found that ORs of studies in hemodialysis patients (OR = 4.89, 95% CI 2.54-9.90, p < .001) and acute ischemic stroke patients (OR = 1.60, 95% CI 1.14-2.25, p = .007) were higher than general population (OR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.03-1.29, p = .01). Studies from Europe (OR = 1.05, 95% CI 0.91-1.20, p = .51) yielded lower OR of endpoints compared with Asia (OR = 1.89, 95% CI 1.38-2.60, p < .001) and United States (OR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.19-1.72, p < .001). As a continuous variable, PTFV1 was also significantly associated with AF occurrence with a polled OR per 1 standard deviation (SD) change of 1.27 (95% CI 1.02-1.59, p = .03).

PTFV1 was significantly associated with the risk of AF and was considered to be a good predictor of AF occurrence in population with or without cardiovascular diseases.