心电图碎片状QRS波群与心血管事件发生的相关性研究

目的探讨心电图碎片状QRS复合波（fQRs）与心血管事件发生的相关性。方法随机抽取1000份我院心血管内科住院患者的12导联平静心电图,排除存在束支传导阻滞或起搏心律者,剩余939份心电图对应的939例患者为研究对象,按照心电图中是否存在fQRs波分成2组,研究两组患者在性别、年龄、心血管事件发生率等方面差异是否具有统计学意义。结果心电图出现fQRs波组患者冠心病、心肌缺血的总发生率为19．6％,心肌梗死总发生率为10．5％,左心室肥厚发生率为34．7％,相对正常者占35．2％;心电图无fORs波出现组患者冠心病、心肌缺血的总发生率为8．2％,心肌梗死发生率为6．5％,左心室肥厚发生率为12．9％,相对正常者占72．4％。经两样本x2检验,P〈0．01,两组心血管事件发生情况差异有统计学意义。结论心电图中出现fQRs波患者心血管事件的发生率较心电图无fQRs波改变者显著升高（P〈0．01）。碎片状QRS波群的出现能在一定程度上提示心血管事件的发生。     

31例致心律失常性右室心肌病的临床研究

目的对致心律失常性右室心肌病（ARVC）作回顾性临床分析。方法根据1994年欧洲心脏病协会的诊断标准选择确诊ARVC患者31例,分析临床表现、心电学特征及治疗方式,随访疗效。结果31例中男性27例,女性4例,首次确诊年龄为19～58（34．7±9．4）岁。28例（90．3％）临床症状为心悸、头晕,13例（41．9％）具有晕厥史,3例（9．7％）以晕厥为首发症状,1例有猝死家族史。超声心动图和（或）核磁共振检查,29例表现为右心室扩大,其中2例合并左心室扩大。静息心电图表现为不同程度的T波倒置,主要发生在胸前导联;17例（54．8％）可见e~ilon（8）波;26例（83．9％）平均QRS时程≥110ms,右胸导联QRS时程大于左胸导联,平均QRS波在V1-3和V4-5导联分别为（120．8±13．7）ms和（99．4±13．7）ms（P〈0．05）;肢体导联低电压和Ⅰ度房室传导阻滞分别为13例（41．9％）和7例（22．6％）。在31例患者中均记录到持续性室性心动过速（VT）,其中15例（48．4％）为单形性,16例（51．6％）为多形性。经导管射频消融治疗者14例,即刻成功11例（78．6％）,随访（18．3±10．2）个月,6例VT复发（54．5％）;药物治疗17例,其中7例在置人心脏除颤器情况下用药,随访（35．6±19．0）个月,11例VT复发（64．7％）,1例猝死。结论ARVC青、中年起病,胸前导联T波倒置、ε波、V1-3导联平均QRS时程≥110in8是其特征性心电图表现,经导管射频消融远期复发率高,药物预防远期效果不佳,心脏除颤器是值得选择的防治措施。     

致心律失常性右心室心肌病的流行病学研究和家系随访

目的　通过收集致心律失常性右心室心肌病 (arrhythmogenicrightventricularcardiomyopathy ,ARVC)的散发人群资料和随访ARVC家系 ,提供ARVC的流行病学资料并发现病情变化 ,寻找疾病规律。方法　统计就诊 33例ARVC患者的流行病学资料。分别随访 2个ARVC家系 3 5年和 4 5年。询问随访前后每一家系成员病史 ,做心电图、二维超声心动图和心室晚电位 ,必要时进行 2 4h动态心电图检查 ,了解病情变化。根据欧洲心脏病学会诊断标准作出诊断。结果　 33例ARVC患者中男性 18例 ,女性 15例 ,平均诊断年龄 (4 2 8± 14 9)岁 ,2 0～ 6 0岁者占 88%。随访的第 1个家系共有 2例患者 ,均猝死。另 1个家系随访结束后共发现 11例患者。随访中患者症状无明显变化 ,但 2名家系成员新确诊患病 ;1例患者心室晚电位变为阳性 ;1例患者心电图右胸前导联T波倒置导联数增加 ,3例T波倒置由右胸前导联向左胸前导联扩展 ,3例T波异常累及右胸前导联和左胸前导联 ;1例患者Epsilon波增宽 ,1例患者新出现Epsilon波 ;4例患者V1 导联QRS时限增加。扩展调查此家系又发现 2例患者和高度怀疑的 1例患者 ,先证者外祖父母为近亲结婚。结论　ARVC男女发病率相似 ,好发于青壮年 ;是一进展性疾病 ,虽是右心室疾病 ,可能多有侵犯左心室 ,易致猝死     

右心室室性心动过速患者时域法微伏级T波电交替特征及其临床意义

目的探讨右心室室性心动过速患者时域法微伏级T波电交替（MTWA）特征及其临床意义。方法采用活动平板时域法分别对35例致心律失常性右心室心肌病（ARVC）患者[其中男性28例,平均年龄（38．6±11,0）岁]、10例特发性右心室室性心动过速（IRVT）患者[其中男性7例,平均年龄（41．9±15．4）岁]和60例健康对照者[男性42例,平均年龄（41．0±14．9）岁]进行MTWA检测,记录胸前V1～V6导联的MTWA值,确定胸前各导联的最大值,以Max Valt表示。分析比较不同组别各导联MTWA值及Max Valt值的差异。结果ARVC组各导联MTWA值和Max Valt值均明显高于对照组（P〈0．01）;IRVT组各导联的MTWA值和Max Valt值比对照组升高,但差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;ARVC组和IRVT组比较,V4导联MTWA值及MaxVah值明显较高（P〈0．05）;接受者操作特性（receiver operating characteristic,ROC）曲线分析表明,以Max Valt〉11．5μV鉴别诊断ARVC的敏感性为74．3％,特异性为80．0％;ARVC组中,近一年内有持续性室速发生的患者较无室速发作患者V2～V6导联的MTWA值以及Max Valt值的差异有统计学意义。结论渐量修正平均时域法检测显示,ARVC患者MTWA值和Max Valt值均明显升高．MTWA佰可以反映ARVC患者近期室性心动过速的发作。     

心电图对陈旧性心肌梗死风险评估的价值探讨

目的通过对陈旧性心肌梗死（OMI）患者碎裂QRS波（fQRS）、病理性Q波及其与室性心律失常的发生情况进行分析,探讨fQRS及病理性Q波与室性心律失常的关系,以评估心电图对陈旧性心肌梗死风险的预测价值。方法对335例确诊陈旧性心肌梗死的患者进行动态心电图检查,将OMI伴单纯fQRs波患者分为前壁组（61例）、下壁组（40例）和侧壁组（15例）,并对各组间室性心律失常发生率进行比较分析;根据fQRS波时限,将OMI伴fQRs波患者分为fQRS≥110ms组（36例）、fQRS〈110ms（156例）,并对两组间室性心律失常发生率进行对比分析;根据病理性Q波QRS波群时限,将OMI伴病理性Q波患者分为QRS≥110ms组（21例）、QRS〈110ms（75例）,并对两组间室性心律失常发生率进行对比分析。结果OMI伴单纯fQRs波患者不同部位间室性心律失常发生率无明显差异（P均〉0．05）;OMI伴fQRs波患者fQRS≥110ms组室性心动过速发生率明显高于fQRS〈110ms组（P=0．026）;OMI伴病理性Q波患者QRS≥110ms组成对室性期前收缩（P=0．045）发生率明显高于QRS〈110ms组。结论OMI患者fQRs时限越长,发生室性心动过速的风险越高;OMI患者QRS波时限越长,发生成对室性期前收缩的风险越高,QRS时限是OMI患者室性心律失常预警的心电图指标。     

正常人右胸导联心电图QRS波群振幅性别、年龄差异研究

目的探讨正常人右胸导联心电图（RCLECG）QRS波群振幅性别、年龄差异规律。方法测量331名正常人右胸导联（RCL）QRS波群r、s波振幅，比较性别、年龄差异。结果男女各年龄组V3R～V6R导联r、s波振幅依次递减。同导联各年龄组之间：男性V3R-V6R导联r波振幅与年龄增长具有非常显著的负相关（P〈0．01）。V3R、V4R导联S波振幅与年龄增长呈负相关（P〈0．05）。女性r、s波振幅与年龄增长无显著的负相关（P〉0．05）。同年龄组男女之间：V3R—V6R导联QRS波群r、s波振幅均男性大于女性（P〈0．01）。结论正常人RCL ECG中QRS波群振幅性别、年龄差异显著，应引起临床注意。     

8例ARVC患者心电图表现及分析

目的 探讨心电图对致心律失常性右室心肌病（ARVC）的早期诊断价值.方法 选择8例于我院经心电图初诊为ARVC,其后根据2009年欧洲心律失常学会新修订诊断标准确诊的患者,对其心电图表现进行回顾性分析.结果 8例在无右心衰竭情况下,心电图均以起源于右心室的室性心律失常为主要表现,并有右胸导联T波倒置、Epsilon波、QRS时程≥120 ms等特征性表现.结论 心电图对ARVC早期筛查具有重要价值,且具有方便、快捷的优点.     

碎裂QRS波在致心律失常性右心室心肌病诊断中的价值

Objective To evaluate diagnostic value of fragmented QRS complex (fQRS)in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). Methods Forty-three patients [33 men, aged (40. 4 ± 13.9)years]meet the ISFC/ESC diagnostic criteria for ARVC were enrolled in this study. A standard twelve-lead electrocardiogram was obtained during the resting status. Characteristics of fQRS were detailedly studied by three doctors independently. A comparison of the prevalence among fQRS, epsilon wave and T wave inversion( TWI )in the right precordial leads exceeding V3 was done. Results Most fQRS could be found in the inferior leads (44. 3% ) and the right precordial leads (24. 2% ). Within the QRS complex, the prevalence of fQRS in the R wave was significantly higher than it in the S wave(58. 4% vs 32. 9% ,Z =4. 30,P ＜0. 01 ).fQRS could be found in a total of 31 of 43 cases( mean 4. 6 ± 1.7 ( range 2 to 9) per patient). The prevalence of fQRS was significantly higher than that of epsilon wave ( 73.8% vs 30. 2%, Z = 3.67, P ＜ 0. 01 ) and TWI (73.8% vs41.9% ,Z =2. 61 ,P＜0. 01 ). Conclusion fQRS was a common electrocardiographic abnormality,and most was found in the inferior and right precardial leads in patients with ARVC. It may be used as an important noninvasive preliminary screening electrocardiographic criteria.     

26例致心律失常右室心肌病的临床和心电图特点分析

目的:探讨致心律失常右室心肌病(ARVC)的临床和心电图特点。方法:收集、查阅1993～2003年 上海市中山医院心内科26例诊断为ARVC的入院病例资料,分析其窦性心律和(或)室性心动过速发作时的常 规体表心电图各项参数,并作统计分析。结果:26例ARVC病例中,入院年龄为13～70(37.7±15.1)岁,首发症 状年龄为8～55(33.2±13.9)岁;13例(50%)有晕厥发作史。25例常规心电图检查中有11例(44.0%)发现Ep silon波,多见于右侧胸导联(V1～3),部分病例可出现于Ⅱ、Ⅲ和aVF导联,其中1例在大多数导联上均可见Epsi lon波;8例(33.3%)右侧胸导联可见T波倒置。右侧胸导联的平均QRS间期(QRS1=V1+V2+V3间期的平 均值)为0.1～0.22(0.13±0.030)s,左侧胸导联的平均QRS时间(QRS2=V4+V5+V6间期的平均值)为0.08 ～0.18(0.11±0.02)s(P<0.01),QRS1/QRS2为1.2±0.2(1.0～1.9),其中16例(61.5%)两者之比≥1.2。4 例出现肢体导联低电压,3例出现完全性右束支传导阻滞,类右束支、左前分支、左后分支和室内传导阻滞各1 例,1例在aVF导联出现显著的T波电交替。结论:心电图中Epsilon波和右胸导联QRS间期延长,有助于诊断 ARVC。     

致心律失常性右室心肌病与特发性右室流出道室性心动过速的临床与心电学特点

目的探讨致心律失常性右室心肌病(ARVC)与特发性右室流出道室性心动过速(IRVOT-VT)的临床、心电学特点并比较导管射频消融(RFCA)效果。方法根据2009年欧洲心律失常学会第5次年会国际专家工作组ARVC诊断标准选择确诊的ARVC患者73例;选择符合IRVOT-VT标准的住院病人75例,分析临床表现、心电学特征,随访射频消融的远期疗效。结果两组病例中首次诊断年龄、室速发作与运动/情绪相关性、家族史无显著差别,性别比例、晕厥史、超声心动图表现却明显不同(P<0.05);两组病例之间的静息窦性心率和室速发作心率无显著差异(P>0.05);但两组病例间在窦性心律时的epsilon波、右束支传导阻滞(RBBB)、V1~V3 T波倒置的发生率,V1~V3 QRS波平均宽度,肢体导联低电压和室性心动过速时的额面电轴、V1导联QRS波宽度却有显著差异(P<0.05);IRVOT-VT组RFCA中远期成功率明显优于ARVC组(P<0.05)。结论 ARVC与IRVOT-VT间性别比例、晕厥史、超声心动图表现,心电图的多个指标存在显著差异;RFCA在IRVOT-VT组中远期效果明显优于ARVC组。     

致心律失常性右室心肌病患者的心电图aVR导联特征

目的探讨致心律失常性右室心肌病(ARVC)患者的心电图aVR导联特征。方法分析60例ARVC患者的体表心电图aVR导联的波形特征,并与71例正常人心电图作对照。结果 ARVC患者aVR导联呈QR型、rSr型及rSR型的比例明显高于对照组(分别为23.3%vs 5.6%,26.7%vs 8.5%,6.7%vs 0,P<0.01);而呈Qr型者所占的比例明显低于对照组(13.3%vs 46.5%,P<0.01),与对照组相比ARVC患者aVR导联呈碎裂QRS波明显增多(33.3%vs 8.5%,P<0.01);ARVC患者aVR导联Q波或S波振幅减小(0.42±0.26 mV vs 0.62±0.25 mV,P<0.01);且R/S比值明显增大(0.52±0.67 vs 0.21±0.23,P<0.01)。结论 ARVC患者的体表心电图aVR导联特征性改变可作为ARVC的诊断线索。     

心电图评价致心律失常性右心室心肌病病变程度的临床价值

目的 分析致心律失常性右心室心肌病(ARVC)患者的病变程度与心电图表现之间的关系.方法 分析61例已确诊的ARVC患者,根据心脏核磁共振成像(MRI)检查结果,将其按病变侵犯部位分为右心室局部病变组、右心室弥漫病变组、双心室病变组,分析比较三组的心电图特征.结果 心脏MRI结果显示右心室局部病变组19例(31%),右心室弥漫病变组28例(46%),双心室病变组14例(23%).心电图正常者3例,三组中各1例.伴有Epsilon波的患者24例(39%)、V1～V3导联的QRS波时限≥110 ms的患者21例(34%)、V1～V3导联S波升支≥55 ms的患者17例(28%)、完全右束支传导阻滞的患者10例(16%)、病理性Q波的患者9例(15%),这些指标的发生率均随病变程度的加重而增高(右心室局部病变组＜右心室弥漫病变组＜双心室病变组).Epsilon波、V1～V3导联的QRS波时限≥110 ms、完全性右束支传导阻滞(RBBB)、病理性Q波的发生率在双心室病变组中要高于右心室局部病变组,且两组间比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).V1～V3导联S波升支≥55 ms的发生率在双心室病变组中要高于右心室局部病变组,且两组间比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);在双心室病变组要高于右心室弥漫病变组,且两组间比较差异均有统计学意义(P均＜0.05).一度房室传导阻滞的发生率在双心室病变组中要高于右心室弥漫病变组,且两组间比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).右心室局部病变组患者心电图T波倒置多局限于V1导联,右心室弥漫病变组和双心室病变组T波倒置多数表现于胸前导联V1～V3或超过V3导联的胸前导联、以及下壁导联.结论 心电图正常并不能排除ARVC.ARVC患者T波倒置在12导联心电图上具有很高的发生率,并且T波倒置在胸部导联的延伸与病变程度是相关的,T波倒置的范围可以提示ARVC病变累及的程度.

Abstract：

Objective To analyze the relationship between electrocardiographic (ECG) features and disease severity in patients with the arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). Method The study group consisted of 61 subjects with a definite diagnosis of ARVC on the basis of published guideline criteria and patients were divided into 3 subgroups according to the extent of diseased myocardium defined by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Group A: local involvement (n = 19, 31% ), Group B: diffuse involvement of whole right ventricle ( n = 28, 46% ) and Group C: involvement of both right and left ventricles ( n = 14, 23% ). Results Normal electrocardiogram was shown in 1 patient in each group.Epsilon wave was detected in 24 (39%) patients, QRS duration was prolonged [≥ 110 ms( V1 -V3 )] in 21 (34%) patients, S-wave upstroke was prolonged (≥55 ms) in 17 (28%) patients, complete right branch bundle block was evidenced in 10 ( 16% ) patients and pathologic Q waves was found in 9 ( 15% ) patients. The incidence of above abnormal ECG changes was increased in proportion to the degree of disease severity (group A ＜ group B ＜ group C). Incidence of Epsilon wave and prolonged QRS duration [≥ 110 ms (V1 - V3 )] were significantly higher in Group C than in Group A. Incidence of prolonged S-wave upstroke ( ≥55 ms) was significantly higher in Group C than in Group A and Group B. T-wave inversion in V1 leads was often found in Group A. T-wave inversion in inferior leads ( V1 - V3 leads or beyond V3 ) was often presented in Group B and Group C. Conclusions Normal ECG does not exclude the possibility of diagnosis of ARVC. The extent of T-wave inversion in the precordial leads and incidence of Epsilon wave, prolonged QRS duration [≥ 110 ms (Vt -V3 )] and prolonged S-wave upstroke ( ≥55 ms) were related to degree of disease severity in patients with ARVC.     

致心律失常性右室心肌病患者Epsilon波的检出率

目的 探讨不同体表心电图记录方法对国人致心律失常性有室心肌病(arrhythmogenic right ventricular eardiomyopathy,ARVC)患者Epsilon波检出率的影响.方法 共人选ARVC患者32例,男性24例,女性8例,年龄18～70(42.3±13.3)岁.于安静仰卧位记录窦性心律情况下的标准12导联同步心电图(standard twelve leads electrocardiography,S-ECG)、右胸导联心电图(right precordial leads ECG,R-ECG)及Fontaine双极胸导联心电图(Fontaine bipolar precordial leads ECG,F-ECG)o Epsilon波判断标准为位于QRS波之后、sT段起始部的低波幅棘波、振荡波或平缓电位.结果 该组病例S-ECG、R-ECG及F-ECG对Epsilon波的检出率分别为37.5%、37.5%和50.0%,三种心电图记录方法之间Epsilon波检出率的比较差异无统计学意义(均为P＞0.05).其中1例Epsilon波仅见于S-ECG,3例仅见于R-ECG,5例仅见于F-ECG.S-ECG联合R-ECG的检出率为50.0%,S-ECG联合F-ECG的检出率为56.3%,三种记录方法的联合检出率为65.6%,S-ECG联合F-ECG的枪出率与S-ECG相比明显提高(P＜0.05),联合三种心电图记录方法的检出率与S-ECG相比有显著提高(P＜0.01).结论 联合使用S-ECG、R-ECG及F-ECG三种心电图记录方法,可以显著提高ARVC患者Epsilon波的检出率,且三种记录方法之间可以相互补充.     

Electrocardiographic (ECG) clues to differentiate idiopathic right ventricular outflow tract tachycardia (RVOTT) from arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC)

Introduction

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/D) is a genetic cardiomyopathy that most commonly affects young adults. The most commonly observed reason of death in patients suffering from ARVC/D is sudden cardiac death (SCD). On the other hand, idiopathic right ventricular outflow tract tachycardia (RVOT VT) usually has a benign course. Both of the entities may have ventricular tachycardia (VT) with left bundle branch block (LBBB) pattern and inferior axis. We tried to propose new discriminating electrocardiographic indices for differentiation of foretold entities.

Material and method

This was a retrospective study. We reviewed records of patients admitted between 2003 and 2012 with the diagnosis of either ARVC/D or RVOT VT that presented with VT (LBBB morphology).

Result

A total of fifty nine patients (30 RVOT VT and 29 ARVC/D) were enrolled. In ARVC/D group, men were dominant while the reverse was true of RVOT VT. Palpitation was more common in the RVOT VT group (90% vs. 66.7%), but aborted SCD and sustained VT were more common in ARVC/D group. The new ECG criteria proposed by us mean QRS duration in V1–V3, QRS difference in right and left precordial leads, S wave upstroke duration, JT interval dispersion, QRS and JT interval of right to left precordial leads were all significantly longer in ARVC/D when compared to RVOT VT patients (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The proposed ECG criteria can be used for non-invasive diagnosis of ARVC/D and incorporation in the future updates of ARVC/D task force criteria.     

36例致心律失常性右室心肌病的心电图特征和临床观察

目的探讨致心律失常性右室心肌病(ARVC)的心电图特征和临床表现。方法回顾分析符合欧洲心脏病协会ARVC诊断标准的36例患者的心电图参数、临床表现、超声心动图、腔内电生理检查等临床资料。结果36例中男26例、女10例,年龄37±13岁;33例表现为心悸、胸闷,11例同时伴有晕厥,2例有家族性猝死史。心电图研究发现10例(28%)出现Epsilon波,29例(81%)右胸(V1～V3)导联QRS波时限≥110ms;在29例无右束支传导阻滞的患者中,右胸导联分别有16例(55%)出现T波倒置、18例(62%)出现S波升支时间≥55ms;17例(47%)QRSd1/QRSd2(V1～V3导联与V4～V6导联QRS波时间平均值之比)≥1.2;24例(67%)出现室壁阻滞;27例(75%)记录到持续性或非持续性室性心动过速。29例超声心动图表现为严重的右室受累。25例行腔内电生理检查,20例诱发出右室起源的室性心动过速,即刻射频消融成功11例。结论ARVC好发于青年男性,是引起晕厥、室性心律失常和室壁运动异常的重要原因,Epsilon波、右胸导联QRS波时限≥110ms与T波倒置、右室起源的室性心律失常为其特征性的心电图改变,QRSd1/QRSd2≥1.2、室壁阻滞、右胸导联S波升支时间≥55ms有助于该病的诊断,经导管射频消融治疗室性心动过速成功率低。     

Special features of right bundle branch block in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia

We searched for special features in patients with complete and incomplete right bundle branch block diagnosed as having arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia. Whether right bundle branch block is a frequent finding in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy should be studied. The question is whether special features exist such as T-wave inversions, localized right precordial QRS prolongation and r'/s ratio<1. RESULTS: ARVC could be diagnosed according to ISFC/ESC criteria in 374 patients. CRBBB was found in 22 cases (6%) and iCRBBB was present in 47 cases (12.5%). In CRBBB T wave inversions ≥ V4 was found in 10 cases (n.s.) and r'/s ratio<1 was present in 12 cases (p<0.001). In iCRBBB T wave inversions ≥ V4 was found in 10 cases (n.s.) and ST segment elevation in right precordial leads was present in 19 cases (p<0.005). In all patients with ARVC localized right precordial QRS prolongation was found. Patients with CRBBB have a bad prognosis: 17 of 22 patients developed biventricular heart failure requiring heart transplantation and diuretic therapy. CONCLUSIONS: CRBBB and iCRBBB are infrequent findings in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. Complete right bundle branch block is characterized by r'/s ratio<1. There are no significant T wave inversions ≥ V4. Incomplete right bundle branch block is characterized by ST segment elevation in right precordial leads but not by T wave inversions ≥ V4.     

Relation of fragmented QRS complex to right ventricular fibrosis detected by late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance in adults with repaired tetralogy of fallot

Fragmented QRS (fQRS) on 12-lead electrocardiography reflects conduction delay caused by myocardial fibrosis and dysfunction. Ventricular fibrosis detected by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is reportedly correlated with worse clinical outcomes in adults with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). The aim of this study was to assess whether the presence of fQRS is associated with right ventricular (RV) fibrosis or dysfunction in this patient group. In 37 consecutive patients (median age 30 years, median age at repair 6.6 years), the number of leads showing fQRS, defined as the presence of >2 notches on the R/S wave in ≥2 contiguous leads, was counted. RV systolic function, dilatation, and LGE score were measured using LGE CMR. Ventricular LGE was observed mainly at the previous surgical sites: the RV outflow tract (33 of 37), ventricular septal defect patch region (15 of 37), and RV anterior wall (11 of 37). Fragmented QRS was found mostly in the right and mid precordial leads. The fQRS group (n = 20) demonstrated higher RV LGE scores (p <0.001) and lower RV ejection fractions (p = 0.02) and a trend toward larger RV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes (p = 0.12 and p = 0.06, respectively) compared to the non-fQRS group (n = 17). The number of electrocardiographic leads showing fQRS was positively correlated with RV LGE score (r = 0.75, p <0.001). The presence of fQRS remained independently associated with the presence of supramedian RV LGE score, even after adjusting for relevant parameters. In conclusion, fQRS was closely associated with more extensive RV fibrosis and dysfunction in adults with repaired tetralogy of Fallot.     

Epsilon Waves Detected by Various Electrocardiographic Recording Methods in Patients with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy

We analyzed the shape and distribution of epsilon waves by 3 various methods of electrocardiographic recording in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.Thirty-two patients who met recognized diagnostic criteria for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy were included in this study (24 men and 8 women; mean age, 42.3 ± 12.9 yr). Epsilon waves were detected by standard 12-lead electrocardiography (S-ECG), right-sided precordial lead electrocardiography (R-ECG), and Fontaine bipolar precordial lead electrocardiography (F-ECG). We found 3 types of epsilon waves: wiggle waves, small spike waves, and smooth potential waves that formed an atypical prolonged R'' wave. The most common configuration was small spiked waves. In some circumstances, epsilon waves were evident in some leads (especially in leads V₁ through V₃), but notches were recorded in the other leads during the corresponding phase. These waves could be detected only by S-ECG in 1 patient, R-ECG in 3 patients, and F-ECG in 5 patients; the rates of epsilon-wave detection by these 3 methods were 38% (12/32), 38% (12/32), and 50% (16/32), respectively. However, the detection rate using combined methods was significantly higher than that by S-ECG alone (SF-ECG 56% vs S-ECG 38%, P = 0.0312; and SRF-ECG 66% vs S-ECG 38%, P = 0.0039). In addition, the rate of widespread T-wave inversion (exceeding V₃) was significantly higher in patients with epsilon waves than in those without (48% vs 9%, P = 0.029), as was ventricular tachycardia (95% vs 64%, P = 0.019).These 3 electrocardiographic recording methods should be used in combination to improve the detection rate of epsilon waves.Key words: Arrhythmias, cardiac/etiology; arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/diagnosis; cell communications/genetics; electrocardiography/methods/standards; epsilon waves; gap junctions; genetic predisposition to disease; heart function tests; sensitivity and specificity; ventricular dysfunction, rightArrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is an inherited heart-muscle disease that predominantly affects the right ventricle (RV), especially the triangle of dysplasia. It is characterized pathologically by RV myocardial atrophy with fibrofatty replacement and clinically by ventricular electric instability with ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation that may lead to sudden death, primarily in young people and athletes.^1,2 Epsilon waves are an important diagnostic clue for ARVC. Peters and colleagues³ found the prevalence of epsilon waves to be 23% in standard 12-lead electrocardiography (S-ECG) and 75% in Fontaine bipolar precordial lead ECG (F-ECG). In the present study, we applied jointly the S-ECG, right-sided precordial lead ECG (R-ECG), and F-ECG to analyze preliminarily the shape and distribution of epsilon waves, and to compare the impact of the various methods of ECG recording on the detection rate of epsilon waves.     

致心律失常性右心室心肌病的心电图特征

目的探讨国人致心律失常性右心室心肌病患者临床心电图特征。方法分析32例致心律失常性右心室心肌病患者体表心电图各项参数。结果心电图记录到Epsilon波12例,QRS时间（V1＋V2＋V3）／（V4＋V5＋V6）≥1.2共15例,终末激动时间延长17例,出现QRS波群碎裂23例,可见异常Q波8例,V1～V3T波倒置且不存在束支传导阻滞14例,完全性右束支传导阻滞3例,不完全性右束支传导阻滞1例。28例记录到室性心动过速。结论Epsilon波、QRS时间（V1＋V2＋V3）／（V4＋V5＋V6）≥1.2、终末激动时间延长≥55ms及QRS波群碎裂是致心律失常性右心室心肌病特征性的体表心电图改变。