Relationship Between Fragmented QRS Complex and Maternal Demographic Features and Echocardiographic Parameters in Pregnancy

Year 2020, Volume: 10 Issue: 1, 17 - 22, 16.03.2020

Veciha Özlem Bozkaya

https://doi.org/10.31832/smj.645580

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the
relationship between the presence of fragmented QRS (f-QRS) complex on
electrocardiography (ECG) and maternal demographic characteristics and left
ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction on echocardiography. Materials
and Methods: 473 pregnant women enrolled in this study and divided
into two groups. (f-QRS positive group n=77, f-QRS negative group n=396 ).
Maternal demographic features and echocardiographic parameters of all
participants were recorded and compared between two groups. Results: The mean age of the study population was 27.70 ± 5.62 and mean gestational week was 7.37 ±
1.55. Parity in f-QRS positive
group was higher than in control group (p=0.01). There was a statistically
significant trend between fragmentation frequency and parity number (p=0.002). There
were no significant differences between two groups in terms of age, gestational
week, heart rate, body mass index. Left ventricle end-systolic and diastolic
diameters and left ventricular ejection fraction were similar between the two
groups Conclusions:  The presence of f-QRS was correlated with increase in number
of parity and we suggest that multiparity may be a risk factor for cardiac
events during pregnancy. Pregnant women with f-QRS on their rest ECG need extra
attention in terms of cardiovascular disease. By demonstrating clinical
significance of f-QRS, this simple tool might be used to determine women who
could be at risk for developing cardiac dysfunction in pregnancy.

Keywords

QRS fragmentation, pregnancy, echocardiography

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