Key result
Interatrial block was present in 59% of elderly individuals in sinus rhythm, with a significantly higher prevalence among those with hypertension compared to those without (60.9% vs 49.1%, P=0.015).
Cross-Sectional (n=678)
Absolute Event Rate: 60.9% vs 49.1%
p-value: p=0.015
Interatrial block is highly prevalent (59%) in the general elderly population, particularly among those with hypertension, highlighting the need for early recognition on routine ECGs.
Supports ECG scrutiny in elderly hypertensives; leaves open prognostic value and management implications.
BACKGROUND: Interatrial block (IAB: P wave > or = 110 ms) is highly prevalent in people > or =65 years old living in a community. METHODS: We investigated 720 consecutive people age > or =65 years old, from the general population, with the intention of evaluating the prevalence of IAB in their electrocardiogram. After excluding 42 people with atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter (5%) or having a permanent pacemaker (0,83%), we evaluated the electrocardiograms of the remaining 678 people with sinus rhythm. RESULTS: We identified 400 (59%) persons with IAB with a similar distribution between men (58.5%) and women (59.4%). IAB was also identified in 347 from a total of 570 hypertensive people (60,9%) and only in 53 out of 108 (49.1%) nonhypertensive people (P = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: The surprisingly large prevalence of the IAB in the general older population emphasizes the importance of the early recognition of this abnormality from the surface 12-lead electrocardiogram.
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Ninios et al. (2007) conducted a cross-sectional in Interatrial block (n=678). Hypertension vs. Nonhypertensive was evaluated on Prevalence of interatrial block (IAB) (p=0.015). Interatrial block was present in 59% of elderly individuals in sinus rhythm, with a significantly higher prevalence among those with hypertension compared to those without (60.9% vs 49.1%, P=0.015).
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