title: P wave dispersion in familial Mediterranean fever.
abstract: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a hereditary disease characterized by recurrent and self-terminated attacks of fever and polyserositis. A recent study found that FMF patients had an abnormally high P wave duration and P wave dispersion, markers for supraventricular arrhythmogenicity. The aim of our study was to further evaluate atrial dispersion in FMF patients. The study group consisted of 26 patients with uncomplicated FMF and age- and sex-matched control subjects. All participants underwent 12-lead electrocardiography under strict standards. P wave length and P wave dispersion were computed from a randomly selected beat and from an averaged beat constructed from 7 to 12 beats, included in a 10-s ECG. No statistically significant differences were found between the groups in minimal, maximal, and average P wave duration and P wave dispersion calculated either from a random beat or averaged beats. During 6 months of follow-up, no supraventricular arrhythmias were documented in either group. FMF patients who are continuously treated with colchicine and do not develop amyloidosis have normal atrial conduction parameters and therefore seemingly do not have an increased electrocardiographic risk of atrial fibrillation.
authors.affiliation: Hypertension Unit and Department of Internal Medicine D, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel. nussim@clalit.org.il
authors.forename: Naomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nussinovitch
authors.forename: Avi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Livneh
authors.forename: Keren
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: Moshe
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nussinovitch
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Volovitz
authors.forename: Merav
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lidar
authors.forename: Udi
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Nussinovitch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003078:Colchicine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004562:Electrocardiography; D010505:Familial Mediterranean Fever / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012306:Risk; D050257:Tubulin Modulators / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D050257:Tubulin Modulators; D003078:Colchicine