Fragmented QRS complexes have predictive value of imperfect ST-segment resolution in patients with STEMI after primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with the fragmented QRS complexes (fQRS) and the predictive value of fQRS in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (p-PCI).

METHODS

The study enrolled 227 consecutive patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction who underwent p-PCI. Baseline clinical characteristics, the percentage of ST-segment resolution, and parameters of electrocardiography and coronary angiography were investigated. The relationship between fQRS on pre-PCI and post-PCI electrocardiogram and the percentage of ST-segment resolution after PCI were studied.

RESULTS

Patients with fQRS have higher troponin I, creatine kinase-MB levels, prolonged QRS duration, higher Gensini score, lower percentage of total ST-segment resolution, and left ventricular ejection fraction compared with patients without fQRS. Gensini score (odds ratio [OR], 1.013; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.002-1.024; P < .006) and percentage of total ST-segment resolution (OR, 0.384; 95% CI, 0.186-0.795; P = .01) were independently associated with the presence of fQRS. A multivariate logistic regression analysis selected presence of fQRS pre-PCI (OR, 2.908; 95% CI, 1.095-7.723; P = .032) and the number of leads with fQRS before PCI (OR, 1.582; 95% CI, 1.250-2.002; P < .001) as independent predictors of imperfect ST-segment resolution.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of fQRS is a predictor in ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing p-PCI. The occurrence of fQRS is beneficial to identify the patients with severe coronary lesion, left ventricular contraction dysfunction, and larger areas of ischemic injury.