A study on the form of P wave in predicting the locus of focal atrial tachycardia / 中国实用内科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective The aim of our study is to differentiate left atrial from right atrial tachycardia on the basis of P wave configuration during focal atrial tachycardia (AT).Methods Thirty-three patients with focal atrial tachycardia who had undergone successful radiofrequency catheter ablation were considered for inclusion in the study . Site of origin was the left atrium in 10 patients, and right atrium in 23 patients . The surface 12-lead ECG recordings during atrial tachycardia were reviewed in all patients. We analyzed the correlativity between P wave configuration and left atrial tachycardia.Results The specificity of negative P wave in lead I and aVL that indentifed a left atrial focus was 100% and 95% respectively, but the sensitivity was only 30% and 50% respectively. The specificity and sensitivity of positive P wave in V 1 that predicted a left atrial focus was 87% and 80%,respectively.Conclusion It is possible to predict the site of origin of focal atrial tachycardia by analyzing its P wave configuration,,and may be helpful for preparation before ablation.