title: Long-term prognostic value of major and minor ECG abnormalities in latent Keshan disease with suspect chronic Keshan disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to determine whether baseline electrocardiography (ECG) abnormalities, the appearance of new ECG abnormalities, or other clinical characteristics are associated with increased rates of progression to chronic Keshan disease (KD) among patients with latent KD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four hundred and fourteen new latent KD patients from a monitored population in China were diagnosed and then followed for 10 years. Baseline and 10-year ECG abnormalities were classified according to the Minnesota Code as major and minor. Using Cox proportional hazards regression models, the addition of ECG abnormalities to traditional risk factors were examined to predict chronic KD events.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 414 latent KD patients with ECG abnormalities, 220 (53.1%) had minor and 194 (46.9%) had major ECG abnormalities. During the follow-up, 92 (22.2%) patients experienced chronic KD events; 32 (14.5%) and 60 (30.9%) of these chronic KD events occurred in the minor and major ECG abnormalities groups, respectively. After adjustment for baseline potential confounders, the hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for progression to chronic KD in latent KD patients with major ECG abnormalities versus those with minor ECG abnormalities was 2.43 (95% CI 1.58-3.93).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Major ECG abnormalities and new ventricular premature complex abnormalities that occurred during the follow-up were both associated with an increased risk of progression to chronic KD. Atrial fibrillation and right bundle branch block with left anterior hemiblock are the most strongly predictive components of major ECG abnormalities. Depending on the model, adding ECG abnormalities to traditional risk factors was associated with improved risk prediction in latent KD.
authors: Institute of Endemic Disease, Key Laboratory of Environment and Gene Related to Diseases of Ministry Education, School of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University.
authors: Yanhe
authors: Y
authors: Zhu
authors: Bingqi
authors: B
authors: Lai
authors: Xiaolin
authors: X
authors: Niu
authors: Jin
authors: J
authors: Wei
authors: Wuhong
authors: W
authors: Tan
authors: Xinfeng
authors: X
authors: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000473:pathology*; D002681:China; D002908:Chronic Disease; D018450:Disease Progression; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004769:Enterovirus Infections / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis