Electrocardiographic predictors of right ventricular volume measured by magnetic resonance imaging late after total repair of tetralogy of Fallot

• Authors: Wendy M Book, Emory University; J. Willis Hurst, Emory University; W. James Parks, Emory University; Katherine L. Hopkins, Emory University
• Journal Title: Clinical Cardiology
• Volume: Volume 22, Number 11
• Publisher: Wiley Open Access: Various Creative Commons Licenses | 1999-11-01, Pages 740-746
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1002/clc.4960221113
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery; Health Sciences, Radiology
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems; Cardiovascular System & Cardiology; congenital heart disease; right bundle-branch block; right ventricle; ventricular dysfunction; CONGENITAL HEART-DISEASE; PULMONARY REGURGITATION; FOLLOW-UP; EXERCISE CAPACITY; SUDDEN-DEATH; POSTOPERATIVE TETRALOGY; QRS PROLONGATION; VALVE INSERTION; SURGICAL REPAIR; LUNG-FUNCTION

Abstract

Background: Right ventricular dysfunction occurs in many patients with significant pulmonary valve regurgitation late after initial total repair of tetralogy of Fallot. Methods to predict which of these patients are at increased risk of late morbidity and mortality are not yet known. Hypothesis: This study evaluated electrocardiographic (ECG) predictors of severe right ventricular dilatation determined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) volumes in patients with tetralogy of Fallot late after initial corrective repair. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the ECGs and MRI right ventricular volume measurements of 20 patients (age 4.4 to 19.3 years, mean 10.0 years) with significant pulmonary valve regurgitation late after repair of tetralogy of Fallot. All patients had enlarged, hypokinetic right ventricles by echocardiography. The patients were grouped based on an indexed fight ventricular end-diastolic volume (RVEDV/BSA) of < 102 ml/m2 (Group 1) or ≥102 ml/m2 (Group 2). We determined the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of QRS duration, and mean frontal plane QRS axis for predicting right ventricular volumes. Results: A maximal QRS duration of ≥ 150 ms or a northwest quadrant frontal plane ORS axis had 85% sensitivity, 86% specificity, 92% positive predictive value, and 75% negative predictive value for predicting an RVEDV/BSA of ≥102 ml/m2. The mean QRS duration was significantly longer in Group 2 than in Group 1 patients (156 ms vs. 123 ms, p = 0.005). Conclusions: In patients late after repair of tetralogy of Fallot with significant pulmonary valve regurgitation, a maximal manually measured QRS duration of ≥ 150 ms and/or a frontal plane QRS northwest quadrant axis can predict patients with marked fight ventricular enlargement. The presence of either of these findings on the ECG signifies patients who require further evaluation and consideration for pulmonary valve replacement.