IS FRAGMENTED QRS ASSOCIATED WİTH THE SEVERITY OF CAROTID ARTERY DISEASE?

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the association between fragmented QRS and the severity of carotid artery disease.Materials and Methods: 168 patients who underwent carotid angiography due to transient ischemic attack or ischemic stroke between March 2009 and July 2017 were enrolled in the study. Patients enrolled in the study were divided into two groups according to severity of carotid artery disease on carotid angiography. Group One consisted of patients with a carotid stenosis of lt;50% (n:82) and group 2 consisted of patients with a carotid stenosis of ≥50% (n:86). Two groups were compared in terms of existence of fragmented QRS on electrocardiogram prior to carotid endarterectomy by using hospital records.Results: The study group consisted of 168 patients. Group One showed more male predominance and this indicated a significant difference in terms of gender between two groups (p=0.026). Existence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was more common in group 2 and this indicated a statistically significant difference (p=0.001). 12-lead ECG of patients in group 2 tended to demonstrate fQRS much frequently compared to patients in group 1 (p=0.002). Conclusion: fQRS seems to be associated with the severity of CAD and assessment of fQRS can be a predictive factor to determine high risk patients for concealed coronary artery disease in patients with severe carotid artery disease and without a history of coronary artery disease.

Keywords

• electrocardiography
• coronary artery disease
• carotid artery disease
• elektrokardiyografi
• koroner arter hastalığı
• karotis arter hastalığı