Interatrial block: the pandemic remains poorly perceived.
Interatrial block (IAB; P duration >or=110 ms) is a common electrocardiogram abnormality, which in addition to reduced left atrial function predicts atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmias. P terminal force (Ptf) +/- biphasic P in lead V(1)>or= the area of one small square on the grid also indicates left atrial abnormality, particularly left atrial enlargement, which is a strong correlate of IAB. Among 482 consecutively recorded electrocardiograms, IAB and Ptf were strongly and significantly correlated (chi(2)= 68.041; P <or= 0.001).In conclusion, interatrial block exists in pandemic proportions in unselected hospital patients. Because of its pathologic implications it requires widespread attention which, heretofore, has been lacking.
University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Department of Medicine, Saint Vincent Hospital, Worcester, Massachusetts 01608, USA. david.spodick@stvincenthospital.com
David H
DH
Spodick
Vignendra
V
Ariyarajah
D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D015897:Comorbidity; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006327:Heart Block / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence