What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cohort. Population: Early Systemic Sclerosis (n=265). Intervention: Right bundle branch block (RBBB) on baseline ECG vs. Absence of RBBB. Primary outcome: Mortality (HR 5.3, 95% CI 2.1-13.4, p=<0.001).

October 31, 2013PLoS ONEOpen Access

Right Bundle Branch Block: A Predictor of Mortality in Early Systemic Sclerosis

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

Complete right bundle branch block on baseline ECG was an independent predictor of mortality in patients with early systemic sclerosis (HR 5.3, 95% CI 2.1-13.4, p<0.001).

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Key result

Complete right bundle branch block on baseline ECG was an independent predictor of mortality in patients with early systemic sclerosis (HR 5.3, 95% CI 2.1-13.4, p<0.001).

Why the study?

Does right bundle branch block on baseline ECG predict mortality in patients with early systemic sclerosis?

Population

265 multiethnic patients with early systemic sclerosis, mean age 48.7, 84% female, enrolled in the GENISOS…

Comparison

Presence of baseline electrocardiogram… vs Absence of right bundle branch block or normal…

Design

Cohort, All ECGs were interpreted by a cardiologist unaware of the patients'…

Follow-up

9.9 years

Authors

HDHilda T. DraegerMedical Center Ophthalmology Associates SAShervin AssassiUniversity of Houston RSRoozbeh SharifUniversité Paris-Sud

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

May identify higher-risk early systemic sclerosis patients; leaves open prospective validation of its prognostic utility.

Study Design

Type

Cohort (n=265)

Multicenter

Yes

Structured PICO

Does right bundle branch block on baseline ECG predict mortality in patients with early systemic sclerosis?

Population

265 predominantly female patients with early systemic sclerosis (disease duration ≤ 5 years) followed for an average of 9.9 years to assess the prognostic significance of baseline ECG abnormalities.

Exposure

Presence of baseline electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities, specifically complete right bundle branch block (± left anterior hemiblock).

Comparator

Absence of right bundle branch block or normal ECG.

Outcome

All-cause mortality over a follow-up time of 9.9 years.hard clinical

Main Result

Hazard Ratio: 5.3 (95% CI 2.1–13.4)

p-value: p=<0.001

Right bundle branch block on baseline ECG is an independent predictor of mortality in patients with early systemic sclerosis and should be considered a marker of disease severity.

Limitations

Does not establish causation or the mechanism of death.
Could not adjust for all cardiac risk factors such as family history of early CAD and dyslipidemia.
Difficult to determine the exact cause of death because most patients died at outside facilities.
Did not correct for multiple comparisons.
Does not establish causation or the mechanism of death
Could not adjust for all cardiac risk factors (specifically family history of early CAD, and dyslipidemia)
Difficult to determine the exact cause of death
Did not correct for multiple comparisons

Cite This Study

Draeger et al. (2013) conducted a cohort in Early Systemic Sclerosis (n=265). Right bundle branch block (RBBB) on baseline ECG vs. Absence of RBBB was evaluated on Mortality (HR 5.3, 95% CI 2.1-13.4, p=<0.001). Complete right bundle branch block on baseline ECG was an independent predictor of mortality in patients with early systemic sclerosis (HR 5.3, 95% CI 2.1-13.4, p<0.001).

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a6f3abe3ce530166bc29654 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0078808

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark