terminal QRS wave distortion in ECG also plays a significant role in diagnosing the degree of ischemia experienced by patients

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 37 views

Terminal QRS Wave Distortion: A Critical Indicator of Death Risk in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Introduction

Heart disease is a leading cause of death worldwide, with 17.9 million people dying from cardiovascular disease in 2016, with half of them being caused by acute myocardial infarction (AMI). AMI, also known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow to the heart stops, causing damage to the heart muscle. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial in reducing mortality and complications. One of the key signs of AMI is the existence of ST segment elevation (STEMI) in the electrocardiogram (ECG). In addition to STEMI, terminal QRS wave distortion in ECG also plays a significant role in diagnosing the degree of ischemia experienced by patients.

Understanding Terminal QRS Wave Distortion

Terminal QRS wave distortion is a phenomenon observed in ECG, where the QRS complex, which represents the depolarization of the ventricles, is distorted. This distortion can indicate the presence of ischemia, which is a condition of lack of blood supply and oxygen to the tissue, in this case, the heart muscle. Ischemia can lead to further complications, including heart failure, arrhythmias, and even death. Therefore, identifying terminal QRS wave distortion in ECG is crucial in assessing the risk of death and complications in patients with AMI.

The Relationship between Terminal QRS Wave Distortion and Grace Score

Studies conducted at the Adam Malik Hajj Hospital examined the relationship between terminal QRS wave distortion in AMI patients with grace scores. Grace score is a validation tool used to assess the risk of death and complications in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The study involved 60 AMI patients treated at Adam Malik Hajj Hospital from May 2019 to March 2020. Patients were divided into two groups: the first group with QRS terminal distortions and the second group without distortion.

Results

The results showed that patients with QRS terminal distortion have a significant higher grace score (130.92 ± 38.209, p = 0.001), compared to patients without distortion. This indicates that QRS terminal distortions are associated with a higher risk of death and complications. The presence of QRS terminal distortions in the ECG can be a potential tool for risk stratification.

Clinical Implications

This study also shows that groups of patients with QRS terminal distortions have poor clinical results and the highest mortality rates for 6 months of follow-up. The risk of death in the first group is also 3.596 times higher than the second group. Early identification of terminal QRS wave distortion in ECG can help doctors in diagnosing the risk of death and higher complications in AMI patients.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the presence of QRS terminal distortions in the ECG of AMI patients can be a critical indicator of death risk. This study provides strong evidence that QRS terminal distortion in ECG is an important marker in assessing the risk of death in AMI patients. Increasing awareness and strategy for handling AMI patients can help minimize mortality and complications.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations can be made:

Early identification of terminal QRS wave distortion in ECG is crucial in assessing the risk of death and complications in AMI patients.
Risk stratification using grace score can help doctors in identifying patients at high risk of death and complications.
Increasing awareness and strategy for handling AMI patients can help minimize mortality and complications.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

Small sample size: The study involved only 60 patients, which may not be representative of the larger population.
Limited follow-up period: The study only followed patients for 6 months, which may not be sufficient to assess long-term outcomes.

Future Directions

Future studies should aim to:

Investigate the relationship between terminal QRS wave distortion and other risk factors for death and complications in AMI patients.
Develop a more accurate and reliable risk stratification tool using ECG and other clinical parameters.
Evaluate the effectiveness of early identification and treatment of terminal QRS wave distortion in reducing mortality and complications in AMI patients.

References

[List of references cited in the study]

Appendix

Additional tables and figures
Terminal QRS Wave Distortion: A Critical Indicator of Death Risk in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction - Q&A

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed the importance of terminal QRS wave distortion in ECG as a critical indicator of death risk in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In this article, we will answer some of the frequently asked questions related to terminal QRS wave distortion and its implications in AMI patients.

Q: What is terminal QRS wave distortion?

A: Terminal QRS wave distortion is a phenomenon observed in ECG, where the QRS complex, which represents the depolarization of the ventricles, is distorted. This distortion can indicate the presence of ischemia, which is a condition of lack of blood supply and oxygen to the tissue, in this case, the heart muscle.

Q: What is the significance of terminal QRS wave distortion in AMI patients?

A: Terminal QRS wave distortion is a critical indicator of death risk in AMI patients. It can help doctors in diagnosing the risk of death and higher complications in AMI patients. Early identification of terminal QRS wave distortion in ECG can help doctors in taking prompt action to reduce mortality and complications.

Q: How is terminal QRS wave distortion diagnosed?

A: Terminal QRS wave distortion is diagnosed using ECG. A healthcare professional will analyze the ECG to identify any distortions in the QRS complex. If a distortion is identified, further testing may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

Q: What are the risk factors for terminal QRS wave distortion in AMI patients?

A: The risk factors for terminal QRS wave distortion in AMI patients include:

Age: Older patients are at higher risk of terminal QRS wave distortion.
Sex: Men are at higher risk of terminal QRS wave distortion than women.
Smoking: Smoking is a significant risk factor for terminal QRS wave distortion.
High blood pressure: High blood pressure is a risk factor for terminal QRS wave distortion.
High cholesterol: High cholesterol is a risk factor for terminal QRS wave distortion.

Q: What are the symptoms of terminal QRS wave distortion in AMI patients?

A: The symptoms of terminal QRS wave distortion in AMI patients may include:

Chest pain: Chest pain is a common symptom of terminal QRS wave distortion.
Shortness of breath: Shortness of breath is a common symptom of terminal QRS wave distortion.
Fatigue: Fatigue is a common symptom of terminal QRS wave distortion.
Dizziness: Dizziness is a common symptom of terminal QRS wave distortion.

Q: What is the treatment for terminal QRS wave distortion in AMI patients?

A: The treatment for terminal QRS wave distortion in AMI patients may include:

Medications: Medications such as beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, and statins may be prescribed to reduce the risk of death and complications.
Angioplasty: Angioplasty may be performed to open up blocked arteries.
Bypass surgery: Bypass surgery may be performed to bypass blocked arteries.

Q: Can terminal QRS wave distortion be prevented?

A: While terminal QRS wave distortion cannot be completely prevented, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of developing it. These include:

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise, can help reduce the risk of terminal QRS wave distortion.
Managing risk factors: Managing risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking can help reduce the risk of terminal QRS wave distortion.
Getting regular check-ups: Getting regular check-ups with a healthcare professional can help identify any potential problems early on.

Conclusion

In conclusion, terminal QRS wave distortion is a critical indicator of death risk in AMI patients. Early identification of terminal QRS wave distortion in ECG can help doctors in taking prompt action to reduce mortality and complications. By understanding the risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options for terminal QRS wave distortion, patients can take steps to reduce their risk of developing it.