Evaluation of QRS duration in electrocardiogram on one year mortality rate in patients with first non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)

Abstract

QRS duration has been previously linked with mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, little is known about patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Therefore, we conducted this study to evaluate the relationship between QRS duration and one-year mortality rate, as well as re-ischemia and heart failure (HF) occurrence in patients with first NSTEMI without wide QRS duration and any history of myocardial infarction. Methods: Patients admitted to Shahid Madani Hospital in 2020 with first NSTEMI were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into two groups: QRS complex duration below 100 ms and between 100 and 120 ms. Occurrence of HF, mortality rate, and re-ischemia during a one-year period were compared between groups. Results: In this study, 183 patients were assigned to group A with QRS < 100 (127 males and 56 females) while 131 patients were allocated to group B with 100 < QRS < 120 (80 males and 51 females). The mean age of patients in groups A and B was 60.20 ± 12.69 and 66.02 ± 11.25, respectively. All three variables including newly diagnosed HF on admission, one-year mortality rate, and recurrent ischemia within one year were more prevalent in patients with QRS complex duration between 100 and 120 ms. Furthermore, the incidence of HF within one year was higher in this group, but the difference was not significant.