title: Predischarge QRS score and risk for heart failure after first ST-elevation myocardial infarction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prognostic value of the QRS score, a simple index of infarct size after a first ST-elevation myocardial infarction, has not been adequately explored in the reperfusion era.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We prospectively followed up 100 consecutive survivors of a first ST-elevation myocardial infarction (aged 64 +/- 13 years, 77% were male) without bundle branch block or paced rhythm at hospital discharge for 3 months. The modified 32-point QRS score was calculated as part of the predischarge evaluation. The predefined primary endpoint was the composite of death or hospitalization for heart failure. By 3 months, 6 patients died and 16 patients were readmitted for heart failure, resulting in a 22% primary endpoint rate. Patients with a QRS score >/= 3 at hospital discharge (n = 38) had significantly more events compared with those with a QRS score < 3 (44.7% vs. 8.2%, P < .001), and all six deaths occurred among patients with a QRS score >/= 3 (P = .002). A QRS score < 3 reliably predicted heart-failure free survival during the follow-up period (negative predictive value 91.9%). In multivariate models, the QRS score was an independent predictor of the primary endpoint (hazard ratio = 1.4 per point, 95% confidence interval 1.1-1.8, P = .003).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For patients surviving a first ST-elevation myocardial infarction, the predischarge QRS score provides powerful prognostic information on short-term outcomes, including mortality and readmission for heart failure.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, University of Patras Medical School, Patras, Greece. riondoc@otenet.gr
authors.forename: Andreas P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Kalogeropoulos
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Chiladakis
authors.forename: Ilias
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sihlimiris
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Koutsogiannis
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Alexopoulos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D015425:Myocardial Reperfusion / Q000379:methods; D010351:Patient Discharge; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012372:ROC Curve; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome