Prognostic Value of QRS Complex Fragmentation in Patients with Acute Anterior STEMI undergoing Primary PCI During in-Hospital Stay

Abstract

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) as a type of coronary reperfusion therapy may lead to recanalization and improved myocardial reperfusion in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The presence of a fragmented QRS (fQRS) complex including narrow or wide QRS complex, which corresponds to the depolarization of the right and left ventricles of the human heart is frequently recorded following surface electrocardiograms (ECGs). Previous studies have identified that fQRS complex on surface ECG is a predictor of adverse cardiovascular events, including cardiac mortality and heart failure. The aim of our study is sought to investigate the prevelance of fQRS complex in ECG of patients admitted with acute anterior STEMI undergoing primary PCI and its short-term prognostic value during hospital stay. In the current study, 156 consecutive patients with anterior STEMI being treated with primary PCI between July 2021 and March 2022 were enrolled. Patients were included in the study if they presented with symptoms that were identified typically as typical chest pain lasting for more than 20 min; had ST-segment elevation ≥1 mm in two contiguous electrocardiographic and had undergone primary PCI including balloon angioplasty, thrombus aspira tion and/or stent implantation.