ABSTRACT
Background@#Prolonged electrocardiogram (ECG) QRS duration has been associated with increased cardiovascular risk. It is unclear whether the main predictor of cardiovascular risk, the Framingham risk score also predicts short-term changes in ECG QRS duration. Our aim is to determine whether baseline Framingham risk score is associated with baseline or changes in QRS duration. @*Methods@#A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was performed using observational data obtained from two hundred two participants. Framingham risk score was calculated using an online risk calculator. QRS duration was obtained using a 10 s trace from a Welch Allyn PC-based 12-lead ECG system. @*Results@#Average follow-up duration was 3.3 ± 1.1 years. Mean QRS change was 1.8 ± 11.4 ms. Specifically, among two hundred two participants, there are 104 subjects with a greater QRS duration at follow-up, while 98 subjects had the same or a shorter follow-up QRS duration. Baseline Framingham risk score did not significantly predict an increase in QRSd with an odds ratio of 1.04 (P = 0.230). Regression analysis of QRS duration at baseline and Framingham risk at baseline had a weak association (R2= 0.020;P = 0.043). The Framingham risk score at follow-up was likewise has a weak association with follow-up QRS duration (R2= 0.045; P = 0.002). @*Conclusions@#Our results do not demonstrate a statistically significant association between Framingham risk parameters and future QRS duration changes over longitudinal time. QRS duration had variable changes between baseline and follow-up. This might suggest that a longer period of follow-up is required to document more stable increases in QRS duration associated with ventricular pathology. A larger population study is needed to confirm our observations.
ABSTRACT
Background@#Prolonged electrocardiogram (ECG) QRS duration has been associated with increased cardiovascular risk. It is unclear whether the main predictor of cardiovascular risk, the Framingham risk score also predicts short-term changes in ECG QRS duration. Our aim is to determine whether baseline Framingham risk score is associated with baseline or changes in QRS duration. @*Methods@#A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was performed using observational data obtained from two hundred two participants. Framingham risk score was calculated using an online risk calculator. QRS duration was obtained using a 10 s trace from a Welch Allyn PC-based 12-lead ECG system. @*Results@#Average follow-up duration was 3.3 ± 1.1 years. Mean QRS change was 1.8 ± 11.4 ms. Specifically, among two hundred two participants, there are 104 subjects with a greater QRS duration at follow-up, while 98 subjects had the same or a shorter follow-up QRS duration. Baseline Framingham risk score did not significantly predict an increase in QRSd with an odds ratio of 1.04 (P = 0.230). Regression analysis of QRS duration at baseline and Framingham risk at baseline had a weak association (R2= 0.020;P = 0.043). The Framingham risk score at follow-up was likewise has a weak association with follow-up QRS duration (R2= 0.045; P = 0.002). @*Conclusions@#Our results do not demonstrate a statistically significant association between Framingham risk parameters and future QRS duration changes over longitudinal time. QRS duration had variable changes between baseline and follow-up. This might suggest that a longer period of follow-up is required to document more stable increases in QRS duration associated with ventricular pathology. A larger population study is needed to confirm our observations.
ABSTRACT
To determine the level of awareness of hypertension and pharmacological management in patients from a rural community of Australia. A total of 665 patients were studied. Thepatients were recruited from Albury-Wodonga and surrounding districts, which are located in a rural area of south-eastern Australia. Demographic information and medical history were recorded for all patients. Clinical data were also recorded Of the 665 patients, 449 [75%] were hypertensive, and of these 449 hypertensive patients, 195 [43.4%] were aware that they had hypertension. Blood pressure was inadequately controlled in 399 of the hypertensive patients [88.9%] according to the management guidelines of the National Heart Foundation of Australia. Of all the patients who had hypertension, 247 [55.0%] were not receiving antihypertensive therapy. Of those receiving therapy, 132 [65.3%] were being administered only one antihypertensive [monotherapy]. The most commonly prescribed antihypertensive classes were angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists, diuretics, beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers The level of awareness of hypertension and its management appeared to be poor in hypertensive patients living in this rural Australian community. Actual hypertension control was extremely poor, and a major potential cause of this may be the poor use of anti-hypertensive medications in these patients. Strategies to improve the awareness of hypertension and its required management in patients residing in rural communities are recommended