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Updated: Nov 1, 2025

In Vivo Quantitative Assessment of Myocardial Structure, Function, Perfusion and Viability Using Cardiac Micro-computed Tomography
Published on: February 16, 2016
The relation between QRS complex fragmentation and segmental abnormalities of the myocardial contractility in
Judith María Torales1, Osmar Antonio Centurión1, Nelson J Aquino2
1Department of Cardiology, Hospital de Clínicas, Asunción National University (UNA), San Lorenzo, Paraguay; Department of Health Sciences Investigation, Sanatorio Metropolitano, Fernando de La Mora, Paraguay.
Background:
Fragmented QRS (fQRS) is defined as any QRS complex with duration of less than 120 ms (ms) and at least one notch in the R or S wave in two or more leads belonging to the same coronary territory. The fQRS represents a delay in ventricular conduction caused by a myocardial scar associated to arrhythmic events.
Methods:
This is a descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study of a total of 123 patientsadmitted with ischemic heart disease. The aim was to correlate the presence of fQRS in a conventional 12-leads electrocardiogram (ECG) with myocardial regional motility disorders.
Results:
A total of 62% of the patients were male, the mean age was 63 ± 12 SD. fQRS was observed in 44% (64% men and 36% women), the most frequent location being the inferior wall (61%), followed by the anteroseptal and lateral walls (14% for both). Of the 36 patients with fQRS, 30 had segmental disorders, while 6 did not. Of the 45 patients without fQRS, 28 had segmental disorders, but 17 did not, which gives us a sensitivity of 52% (moderate SnNout) and specificity of 74% (high SpPin), with a positive predictive value of 83%, a negative predictive value of 38% and a prevalence of 72%.
Conclusion:
The presence of fQRS in the ECG has high specificity and a high positive predictive value of the existence of segmental myocardial motility disorders in patients with documented coronary artery disease.
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