P-wave indices, distribution and quality control assessment (from the Framingham Heart Study).
BACKGROUND
P-wave indices of maximum P-wave duration and P-wave dispersion have been examined in a broad array of cardiovascular and noncardiovascular disease states. The P-wave indices literature has been highly heterogeneous in measurement methodologies, described quality control metrics, and distribution of values. We therefore sought to determine the reproducibility of P-wave indices in a community-based cohort.


METHODS
P-wave indices were measured in sequential subjects enrolled in the Framingham Heart Study. Electrocardiograms were obtained at the 11th biennial visit of the Original Cohort (n = 250) and the initial visit of the Offspring Cohort (n = 252). We determined the mean P-wave durations, interlead correlations, and P-wave indices. We then chose 20 ECGs, 10 from each cohort, and assessed intrarater and interrater variability.


RESULTS
The maximum P-wave duration ranged from 71 to 162 ms with mean of 112 + or - 12 ms. The minimum P-wave duration ranged from 35 to 103 ms with mean of 65 + or - 10 ms. P-wave dispersion ranged from 12 to 82 ms. The mean P-wave dispersion was 48 + or - 12 ms (40-56). The intrarater intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was r = 0.80 for maximum P-wave duration and r = 0.82 for P-wave dispersion. The interrater ICC was 0.56 for maximum P-wave duration and 0.70 for P-wave dispersion.


CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrated excellent intrarater reproducibility and fair interrater reproducibility for calculating P-wave indices. Reproducibility is frequently lacking in studies of P-wave indices, but is an essential component for the field's growth and epidemiologic contribution.
Boston University School of Medicine, Section of Cardiology, School of Public Health, Boston, MA 01702-5827, USA.
Jared W
JW
Magnani
Michael J
MJ
Mazzini
Lisa M
LM
Sullivan
MaryAnn
M
Williamson
Patrick T
PT
Ellinor
Emelia J
EJ
Benjamin
D015331:Cohort Studies; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011786:Quality Control; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors