title: Assessment of P-wave duration and dispersion in patients with isolated coronary artery ectasia.
abstract: 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.
authors: Sait Mesut
authors: SM
authors: Dogan
authors: Nesligul
authors: N
authors: Yildirim
authors: Mustafa
authors: M
authors: Aydin
authors: Metin
authors: M
authors: Gursurer
authors: Fatih
authors: F
authors: Cam
authors: Oguzhan
authors: O
authors: Celik
mesh_terms: 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