title: Effect of diuresis on P-wave duration and dispersion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of changing volume status on P-wave duration and dispersion in patients with decompensated heart failure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hospital cardiology unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one patients with symptoms of decompensated heart failure who were treated with diuretics on admission.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve-lead electrocardiograms were obtained at baseline and after diuresis. Average, minimum, and maximum P-wave duration and P-wave dispersion (minimum minus maximum duration) were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  P-wave duration was measured manually in all 12 leads by using a 0.5-mm-scale precision ruler and magnifying lens. After 40+/-23 hours of diuresis, 3+/-1 L of fluid was removed. A significant correlation was found between average P-wave duration and amount of fluid removed (r = -0.59, p=0.015). Also, average and maximum P-wave duration were significantly decreased with diuresis (p=0.001 and 0.022, respectively). No other P-wave variables were significantly affected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diuresis may attenuate electrophysiologic changes caused by fluid overload.
authors.affiliation: Drug Information Center, Hartford Hospital, Connecticut 06102-5037, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: James S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kalus
authors.forename: Michael F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Caron
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kluger
authors.forename: C Michael
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004231:Diuresis / Q000502:physiology*; D004232:Diuretics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005260:Female; D005665:Furosemide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D004232:Diuretics; D005665:Furosemide