ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The correct estimation of accessory pathway (AP) localization from surface ECG is critical before the procedure. Our study aimed to detect the predictive value of the V1r + DIIq criterion for differentiating right- from left-sided paraseptal APs. METHODS: We retrospectively included 58 patients with (Wolff-Parkinson-White) WPW syndrome and paraseptal APs who underwent successful catheter ablation (37 male, 21 female; mean age 34.4 ± 13.6 years). The V1r + DIIq criterion was calculated using the following formula: V1r + DIIq (mV) = initial r wave amplitude in V1 + q wave amplitude in DII. The combined criterion included V1r + DIIq <2.05 mV and/or no initial r wave in V1. RESULTS: Right-sided paraseptal APs were detected in 36 patients (62.1%), left-sided paraseptal APs were detected in 21 patients (36.2%), and AP from CS was detected in 1 patient (1.7%). The initial r wave amplitude in V1 (mV), q wave amplitude in DII (mV) and V1r + DIIq criterion (mV) were lower in patients with right-sided paraseptal APs (p < 0.001). The percentage of patients with no initial r wave in V1 (36.1% vs. 0%) and those meeting the combined criterion (91.7% vs. 4.5%) were increased in patients with right-sided paraseptal APs. The cutoff value of the V1r + DIIq criterion obtained by ROC curve analysis was 2.05 mV for predicting right-sided paraseptal APs (sensitivity: 86.1%, specificity: 95.5%). The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.943 (95% CI = 0.881-1.000) (p < 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity values were 36.1% and 100%, respectively, for the no initial r wave criterion and 91.7% and 95.5%, respectively, for the combined criterion. CONCLUSION: The V1r + DIIq criterion and the combined criterion represent novel and simple electrocardiographic criteria for accurately differentiating right- from left-sided paraseptal APs. This simple ECG measurement can improve the accuracy of detection of paraseptal AP localization and could be beneficial for decreasing ablation duration and radiation exposure.
