Cor Vasa 2017, 59(3):e246-e250 | DOI: 10.1016/j.crvasa.2016.10.005

Increased maximum p wave duration in smoking patients with ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction and its relationship with inflammatory markers

Yaniel Castro-Torres^a,*, Raimundo Carmona-Puerta^b, Luis Castañeda-Carsarvilla^c

^a Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Universitario Celestino Hernández Robau, Santa Clara, Villa Clara, Cuba

^b Departamento de Electrofisiología y Estimulación Cardíaca, Cardiocentro Ernesto Che Guevara, Santa Clara, Villa Clara, Cuba

^c Servicio de Terapia Intensiva, Hospital Universitario Celestino Hernández Robau, Santa Clara, Villa Clara, Cuba

Introduction: Electrocardiographic markers for atrial fibrillation and the relationship with inflammatory markers have not been evaluated in smoker patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Material and methods: This is a cross-sectional study developed between January 2012 and July 2014 at Hospital Universitario Celestino Hernández Robau from Santa Clara, Cuba. One hundred fifteen patients were included finally. The sample was divided into two groups (smokers and non-smokers). We obtained clinical and laboratory data and compared electrocardiographic markers for atrial fibrillation in both groups and with inflammatory markers.

Results: Maximum p wave duration was significantly higher in smoker than non-smoker patients (102 ± 12 vs. 97 ± 9; p = 0.020). Minimum p wave duration and p wave dispersion also are higher in smoker patients but not significantly (61 ± 10 vs. 60 ± 7; p = 0.476 and 41 ± 10 vs. 37 ± 9; p = 0.050). There is a positive and significant linear correlation between neutrophils count and maximum p wave duration in smokers (r = 0.45; p = 0.004), but not in non-smokers patients (r = 0.09; p = 0.49). There is a negative correlation between lymphocyte count and maximum p wave duration in smokers (r = -0.44; p = 0.004) and in non-smoker patients (r = -0.07; p = 0.62).

Conclusion: Maximum p wave duration is higher in smoker patients than non-smoker patients during ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction. Neutrophil count is positively associated with maximum p wave duration in smoker patients. Lymphocyte count has a negative association with maximum p wave duration.

Keywords: Acute myocardial infarction; Atrial fibrillation; Inflammatory markers; p wave dispersion; p wave duration; Smoking

Received: May 12, 2016; Revised: October 21, 2016; Accepted: October 24, 2016; Published: June 1, 2017  Show citation