title: Relation of positive T wave in lead aVR to risk of cardiovascular mortality.
abstract: We examined the prevalence and prognostic impact of a positive T wave in lead aVR (aVRT+) on a standard electrocardiogram in the general population. Data were collected from a large nationally representative (random sample) health examination survey conducted in Finland from 2000 through 2001. The survey consisted of 6,354 subjects (2,876 men and 3,478 women) ≥30 years who participated in the field health examination including standard electrocardiographic (ECG) recording at rest. The prevalence of aVRT+ (defined as positive or isoelectric T wave in lead aVR) was 2.2%. During the median follow-up of 98.5 months (interquartile range 96.6 to 99.6), there were 214 (3.5%) cardiovascular (CV) deaths. In Cox regression analysis after adjustment for age and gender, relative risks for CV and total mortalities associated with aVRT+ were 3.24 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.32 to 4.54, p <0.001) and 1.91 (95% CI 1.47 to 2.49, p <0.001), respectively. In the fully adjusted model controlling for other risk factors, CV morbidity, and ECG findings, the relative risk for CV mortality for aVRT+ was 2.94 (95% CI 2.07 to 4.18, p <0.001). In conclusion, aVRT+, an easily recognized ECG finding, predicts risk for CV mortality in the general population. This finding could aid in screening for risk of total and CV mortalities.
authors: Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Seinäjoki Central Hospital, Finland.
authors: Ismo
authors: I
authors: Anttila
authors: Kjell
authors: K
authors: Nikus
authors: Tuomo
authors: T
authors: Nieminen
authors: Antti
authors: A
authors: Jula
authors: Veikko
authors: V
authors: Salomaa
authors: Antti
authors: A
authors: Reunanen
authors: Markku Sakari
authors: MS
authors: Nieminen
authors: Terho
authors: T
authors: Lehtimäki
authors: Vesa
authors: V
authors: Virtanen
authors: Mika
authors: M
authors: Kähönen
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012306:Risk