Relationship between QRS width and the presence of neoplasm

This study examines the relationship between QRS width and the presence of neoplasia. The QRS width was measured in 236 consecutive ambulatory patients. The patients' body surface area, CBC, SMA 6, and SMA 12 were also recorded. There were 17 out of 34 (50%) patients with neoplasia in the group with QRS less than 0.08 seconds. There were only 19 out of 78 (24%) with neoplasia in the group with QRS greater than or equal to 0.08 seconds (P less than 0.01). We conclude that there is a higher incidence of neoplasia in patients with a QRS less than 0.08 seconds than in patients with a QRS greater than or equal to 0.08 seconds. This difference cannot be explained by age, body surface area, hemoglobin, or any variable in SMA 6 or SMA 12.