Assessment of P-wave duration and dispersion in patients with isolated coronary artery ectasia.
BACKGROUND
Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is defined as localized or diffuse dilatation of the epicardial coronary arteries. We sought to determine whether isolated CAE may alter P-wave duration and dispersion (PD).


METHODS
The study population consisted of 26 patients (mean age: 61.6+/-11.0 years) with isolated CAE (group 1) and sex- and age-matched 26 control subjects (group 2). Both groups underwent a standard 12-lead surface electrocardiogram recorded at 50 mm/s. Maximal (P(max)) and minimal P-wave durations (P(min)) are measured. PD was defined as the difference between P(max) and P(min).


RESULTS
In group 1, P(max) (114.2+/-10.4 ms vs 104.8+/-10.6 ms, p<0.002) and PD (34.0+/-12.7 ms vs 24+/-10.6, p<0.004) were significantly higher than those of group 2. Moreover a significant correlation was found between P(max) and PD with ectatic segment number (r=0.625, r=0.626, respectively; p=<0.001); and P(max) and PD with ectatic vessel number (r=0.698, r=0.704 respectively; p=<0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Isolated CAE and the degree of the ectasia were found to be associated with prolonged P(max) and PD.
Dogan
Sait Mesut
SM
Yildirim
Nesligul
N
Aydin
Mustafa
M
Gursurer
Metin
M
Cam
Fatih
F
Celik
Oguzhan
O
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged