title: Prevalence of conduction abnormalities in a systolic heart failure population by race, ethnicity, and gender.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is paucity of data regarding conduction abnormalities in the Hispanic population with systolic heart failure (HF). We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities in a systolic HF population, with attention to the Hispanic population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross sectional study of 926 patients enrolled in a systolic HF disease management program. ECGS were obtained in patients with an ejection fraction (EF) ≤ 40% by echocardiography at enrollment. Univariate and multivariate analysis adjusted by ethnicities was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  White patients exhibited higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation (14.7%) than black patients (8.0%, P = 0.01) whereas Hispanics presented higher prevalence of paced rhythm (14.3% in Hispanics vs. 6.5% in whites and 5.2% in blacks, P<0.01 for both comparisons), higher prevalence of left bundle branch block (LBBB, 14.5% in Hispanics vs. 8.8% in whites and 5.8% in blacks, P = 0.002) and increased frequency of abnormal QT intervals (76.7% in Hispanics) than whites (59.6%) and blacks (69%) patients (P< 0.01 for both comparisons). A QRS interval greater than 120 ms was less prevalent among blacks (15.8% vs. 26.0% in whites and 25.3% in Hispanics, P = 0.01 for both comparisons). Univariate and multivariate analysis disclosed no influence of other characteristics (age, sex, coronary artery disease, hypertension, ejection fraction, medications) in the ECG findings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hispanics with Systolic HF presented with increased prevalence of paced rhythm, LBBB, and abnormal QT intervals. Attention should be addressed to these ECG variations to recommend additional guidance for therapeutic interventions and provide important prognostic information.
authors.affiliation: University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, FL, USA. Khebert1@gmail.com
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hebert
authors.forename: Henry C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Quevedo
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tamariz
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.forename: Dylan L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Steen
authors.forename: Rosario A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Colombo
authors.forename: Emiliana
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.forename: Sholom
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Neistein
authors.forename: Lee M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Arcement
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D054143:Heart Failure, Systolic / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors