Key result
Thrombolytic therapy in acute PE is linked to a ~14-degree fQRS-T reduction, indicating reduced ventricular loading.
Why the study?
To determine whether the frontal QRS-T angle, a marker of ventricular heterogeneity, can be used to predict successful thrombolytic therapy in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.
Does thrombolytic therapy improve the frontal QRS-T angle in patients with acute pulmonary embolism?
Observational (n=136)
No
Does thrombolytic therapy improve the frontal QRS-T angle in patients with acute pulmonary embolism?
The frontal QRS-T angle changes significantly following thrombolytic therapy in patients with acute pulmonary embolism, suggesting its potential utility as an ECG marker of treatment success.
May signal reduced ventricular strain in acute PE; hypothesis-generating and should not change practice without randomized confirmation.
OBJECTIVE: The frontal QRS-T angle (fQRS-T) is associated with myocardial ischemia and ventricular arrhythmias. On the other hand, acute pulmonary embolism (APE) is a major risk factor for cardiac adverse events. This research aimed to determine whether the fQRS-T, a marker of ventricular heterogeneity, can be used to predict successful thrombolytic therapy in patients with APE. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study. Patients diagnosed with APE and hospitalized in the intensive care unit between 2020 and 2022 were included in the research. A total of 136 individuals with APEs were enrolled in this research. The patients were divided into two groups: thrombolytic-treated (n=64) and non-treated (moderate to severe risk, n=72). An ECG was conducted for each patient, and echocardiography was performed. RESULTS: The mean age of the thrombolytic group was 58.2±17.6 years, with 35 females (55.1% of the group) and 29 males (44.9%). The non-thrombolytic group had a mean age of 63.1±16.2, with 41 females (56.5%) and 31 males (43.5%). Respiratory rate, heart rate, and fQRS-T were higher in the thrombolytic group, and oxygen saturation ratio and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were higher in the non-thrombolytic group (p=0.006, p<0.001, p=0.021; p<0.001, p=0.015, p<0.001, respectively). In the thrombolytic therapy group, comparing pre- and post-treatment ECG data revealed a statistically significant change in the fQRS-T value (p=0.019). CONCLUSION: The fQRS-T may provide important clues for the successful treatment of APEs.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Durğun et al. (2023) conducted an observational in Acute pulmonary embolism (n=136). Thrombolytic therapy vs. Non-thrombolytic therapy was evaluated on Change in frontal QRS-T angle (fQRS-T) before and after treatment (p=0.019). Thrombolytic therapy significantly reduced the frontal QRS-T angle from 62.4 to 48.8 degrees in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (p=0.019), indicating a reduction in ventricular loading.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: