Increased Frequency of Fragmented QRS in Patients with Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the presence of myocardial fibrosis determined by fragmented QRS in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Eighty-seven consecutive patients with severe aortic valve stenosis and 83 age- and gender-matched control subjects were enrolled into this study. Severe aortic valve stenosis was defined as an aortic valve area <1 cm(2), a V(max) >4 m/s, or a mean gradient ≥40 mm Hg. Fragmented QRS was assessed using a 12-lead electrocardiogram. RESULTS: Fragmented QRS was detected in 40 (46%) patients in the aortic valve stenosis group and in 15 (18%) control subjects (p < 0.001). In multivariate binary logistic regression analysis, the presence of aortic valve stenosis was the only independent factor associated with fragmented QRS (OR = 3.69; 95% CI 1.81-7.55, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A higher frequency of fragmented QRS was detected in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis compared to controls.