Acute fever was associated with significantly higher P-wave dispersion compared to the afebrile state (48 vs. 40 ms; p < 0.001), indicating transient and reversible alterations in atrial conduction.
Observational (n=216)
No
Does acute fever alter P-wave dispersion and atrial conduction parameters in adult patients without structural heart disease?
Acute fever is associated with transient, reversible increases in P-wave dispersion and atrial conduction parameters, which may have implications for atrial arrhythmia risk.
Absolute Event Rate: 48% vs 40%
p-value: p=<0.001
OBJECTIVE Fever is a common cause of emergency department admission and may induce transient alterations in cardiac electrophysiology. P-wave dispersion (PWD), a noninvasive marker of atrial conduction heterogeneity, is associated with an increased risk of supraventricular arrhythmias, particularly atrial fibrillation. To evaluate the effect of acute fever on P-wave dispersion and related atrial conduction parameters in patients without known structural heart disease, using a within-subject comparison between febrile and afebrile states. MATERIALS AND METHODS This single-center, prospective observational study was conducted in the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital between December 2024 and April 2025. Adult patients (≥18 years) with a body temperature > 37.9 °C were included. Twelve‑lead electrocardiograms were obtained during the febrile period at presentation and after defervescence. Maximum P-wave duration (Pmax), minimum P-wave duration (Pmin), and P-wave dispersion (PWD) were calculated. RESULTS A total of 216 patients were enrolled. Median body temperature decreased from 38.3 (38-39) °C before treatment to 36.9 (36.6-37.1) °C after treatment (p < 0.001). During fever, Pmax, Pmin, and PWD values were significantly higher than those measured after defervescence (Pmax: 89 vs. 80 ms; Pmin: 40 vs. 40 ms; PWD: 48 vs. 40 ms; p < 0.001). A weak positive correlation was observed between changes in body temperature and Pmax (ρ = 0.135; p = 0.048), with no significant association for Pmin or PWD. CONCLUSION Acute fever was associated with transient alterations in P-wave dispersion and atrial conduction parameters. These changes appeared to be reversible following fever resolution. The potential clinical and arrhythmic implications of these findings remain to be clarified and warrant further investigation.
Tomakin et al. (Mon,) conducted a observational in Acute fever (n=216). Febrile state vs. Afebrile state was evaluated on P-wave dispersion (PWD) (p=<0.001). Acute fever was associated with significantly higher P-wave dispersion compared to the afebrile state (48 vs. 40 ms; p < 0.001), indicating transient and reversible alterations in atrial conduction.