title: Relation of fragmented QRS to tissue Doppler-derived parametersin patients with familial Mediterranean fever.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) may pose a risk for cardiovascular diseases due to continuous inflammatory status observed during the course of the disease. Recently, the presence of fragmented QRS (fQRS) has been recognized as a predictor of myocardial fibrosis. In this study, we aim to investigate the frequency of fQRS and its relation to Doppler-based indices.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study consisted of 80 FMF patients and 30 healthy control subjects. fQRS pattern was defined as the presence of additional R waves or RSR', evidenced by notched R or S wave on electrocardiography (ECG). The patient and the control groups underwent conventional echocardiography and tissue Doppler echocardiography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference between groups regarding age (29 ± 12 vs 29 ± 15). FMF patients exhibited a statistically higher frequency of fQRS (% 56 vs % 13) (p < 0.01). E/Em ratio showed a statistically significant increase in the FMF group with fQRS (p < 0.0001), while the mean Em value was markedly lower (p < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FMF patients displayed a statistically significant increase in frequency of fQRS. Doppler-derived diastolic index was statistically significantly impaired in FMF patients with fQRS as compared with the patients without fQRS. In conclusion, fQRS might be a new noninvasive marker for cardiac involvement in FMF patients.
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey, dr.muratcelik@yahoo.com.
authors: Muhammet Murat
authors: MM
authors: Celik
authors: Eyup
authors: E
authors: Buyukkaya
authors: Nilgul
authors: N
authors: Ustun
authors: Alper Bugra
authors: AB
authors: Nacar
authors: Mustafa
authors: M
authors: Kurt
authors: Mehmet Fatih
authors: MF
authors: Karakas
authors: Perihan
authors: P
authors: Bilen
authors: Mehmet
authors: M
authors: Duru
authors: Nihat
authors: N
authors: Sen
authors: Adnan Burak
authors: AB
authors: Akcay
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D010505:Familial Mediterranean Fever / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013318:Stroke Volume