   |
||||
Among patients hospitalized with heart failure, having a longer than normal QRS duration (a measurement of the electrical conducting time of the heart on an electrocardiogram or ECG) appears to predict a high risk of death or rehospitalization within a few months after discharge, according to a study in the June 11, 2008 issue of JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association). An ECG is routinely obtained on all patients admitted with heart failure. Hospitalization for heart failure is a major public health problem in the developed world, with the United States and Europe each reporting more than 1 million heart failure hospitalizations per year. The frequency and the predictive value of a prolonged QRS duration during an admission for heart failure have not been well studied. Establishing the prognostic value of a prolonged QRS duration during hospitalization for heart failure may aid in tailoring therapy to improve postdischarge morbidity and mortality. “Measurement of the QRS duration on an ECG has significant advantages as a tool in the clinical setting. It is relatively inexpensive, simple to perform, and yields an instant result. The measurement is objective and does not require specialized training to interpret. In addition, the QRS duration is stable in the majority of patients during the course of their hospitalization. Perhaps most important, a prolonged QRS duration becomes a potential target for intervention [with existing therapy], which may improve postdischarge mortality and morbidity,” the authors write.
Other news in this month - Sleep Apnea Linked to Memory Loss June 27, 2008 |
|
Disclaimer & Copyright Copyright © 2006 Start Living Ltd. All rights reserved. |
Designed by Jazzup Design Club. |