Araştırma Makalesi

Clinical significance of fragmented QRS in relation to left ventricular mass and carotid intima-media thickness in hypertensive individuals

Cilt: 50 Sayı: 4 22 Aralık 2025
Mucahit Yetim *, Macit Kalçık , Lütfü Bekar , Muhammet Cihat Çelik , Yusuf Karavelioğlu
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Cukurova Medical Journal Kapak Cukurova Medical Journal
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Clinical significance of fragmented QRS in relation to left ventricular mass and carotid intima-media thickness in hypertensive individuals

Abstract

Purpose: Fragmented QRS (fQRS) is an electrocardiographic marker of depolarization abnormalities related to myocardial fibrosis. Although fQRS has been linked to adverse cardiovascular outcomes, its relationship with vascular remodeling in hypertension remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between fQRS, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and carotid artery disease in hypertensive patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 292 patients with essential hypertension were enrolled and stratified into two groups according to the presence (n = 128) or absence (n = 164) of fQRS on 12-lead electrocardiography. All participants underwent transthoracic echocardiography to determine left ventricular mass (LVM) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI), as well as carotid ultrasonography for measurement of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and plaque detection. Results: Baseline demographic and laboratory parameters, including lipid profile and inflammatory markers, did not differ significantly between groups. However, patients with fQRS exhibited higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure, greater LVM and LVMI, and a markedly increased prevalence of LVH (60.9% vs. 14.6%). Carotid ultrasound revealed significantly higher CIMT values (Right: 0.87 vs. 0.71; Left: 0.86 vs. 0.70) and plaque burden (32.8% vs. 11%) in the fQRS group. Multivariable analysis identified right CIMT >0.72 mm, left CIMT >0.74 mm, LVM >145 g, LVMI >91 g/m², and carotid plaque presence as independent associates of fQRS. Conclusion: Fragmented QRS is strongly associated with both myocardial and vascular target-organ damage in hypertension. Its presence may serve as a non-invasive marker for identifying high-risk patients who warrant intensified cardiovascular risk assessment and management.

Keywords

Fragmented QRS , Hypertension , Left ventricular hypertrophy , Carotid intima-media thickness , Carotid plaque

Kaynakça

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Ayrıntılar

Birincil Dil

İngilizce

Konular

Klinik Tıp Bilimleri (Diğer)

Bölüm

Araştırma Makalesi

Yazarlar

Yayımlanma Tarihi

22 Aralık 2025

Gönderilme Tarihi

22 Eylül 2025

Kabul Tarihi

24 Kasım 2025

Yayımlandığı Sayı

Yıl 2025 Cilt: 50 Sayı: 4

DOI

https://doi.org/10.17826/cumj.1785525

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA66ZD29FX

Kaynak Göster

RIS / Bibtex
MLA
Yetim, Mucahit, vd. “Clinical significance of fragmented QRS in relation to left ventricular mass and carotid intima-media thickness in hypertensive individuals”. Cukurova Medical Journal, c. 50, sy 4, Aralık 2025, ss. 1073-8, doi:10.17826/cumj.1785525.
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