title: Effect of reperfusion on P-wave duration and P-wave dispersion in acute myocardial infarction: primary angioplasty versus thrombolytic therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia occurring in about 10-20% of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). P-wave dispersion (PWd) and P-wave duration (PWD) have been used to evaluate the discontinuous propagation of sinus impulse and the prolongation of atrial conduction time, respectively. This study was conducted to compare the effects of reperfusion either by thrombolytic therapy or primary angioplasty on P-wave duration and dispersion in patients with acute anterior wall myocardial infarction.
  
  
  METHODS
  We have evaluated 72 consecutive patients retrospectively (24 women, 48 men; aged 58 +/- 12 years) experiencing acute anterior wall myocardial infarction (AMI) for the first time. Patients were grouped according to the reperfusion therapy received (primary angioplasty (PTCA) versus thrombolytic therapy). Left atrial diameter and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were determined by echocardiography in all patients. Electrocardiography was recorded from all patients on admission and every day during hospitalization. Maximum (P max) and minimum (P min) P-wave durations and P-wave dispersions were calculated before and after the treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were not any significant differences between the groups regarding age, gender, left ventricular ejection fraction, left atrial diameter and volume, cardiovascular risk factors, and duration from symptom onset to treatment. P-wave dispersions and P-wave durations were significantly decreased after PTCA [Mean P max was 113 +/- 11 ms before and 95 +/- 17 ms after the treatment (P = 0.007)]. Mean PWd was 46 +/- 12 ms before and 29 +/- 10 ms after the treatment (P = 0.001). Also, P max and PWd were significantly lower in PTCA group (for P max 97 +/- 22 ms vs 114 +/- 16 ms and for PWd 31 +/- 13 ms vs 55 +/- 5 ms, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Primary angioplasty reduces the incidence of AF by decreasing P max and P-wave dispersion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Düzce Faculty of Medicine, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Konuralp Düzce, Turkey. rakdemir@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ramazan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Akdemir
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ozhan
authors.forename: Huseyin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gunduz
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tamer
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yazici
authors.forename: Enver
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Erbilen
authors.forename: Sinan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Albayrak
authors.forename: Serkan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bulur
authors.forename: Cihangir
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Uyan
mesh_terms: D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome