Abstract

CENTURION, Osmar Antonio et al. QRS complex fragmentation of the electrocardiogram and its. Mem. Inst. Investig. Cienc. Salud [online]. 2024, vol.22, n.1, e22142401.  Epub Aug 30, 2024. ISSN 1812-9528.  https://doi.org/10.18004/mem.iics/1812-9528/2024.e22142401.

The presence of fragmented QRS complexes (fQRS) on a routine 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is an interesting marker of depolarization abnormality. There is compelling data suggesting that fQRS represents a conduction delay from inhomogeneous activation of the ventricles due to myocardial scar. However, fQRS is not specific for coronary artery disease and it is also found in other myocardial diseases such as cardiomyopathy and congenital heart disease. fQRS has also been described in other entities such as arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and Brugada syndrome. The importance and predictive value of the fQRS complex as an ECG marker of cardiovascular events appear to be different in different entities. In patients with stable coronary artery disease and in patients with acute myocardial infarction, fQRS appears to be a good predictor of cardiac events. In patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy, narrow fQRS appears to correlate with the degree of fibrosis and dyssynchrony, and could influence the response to cardiac resynchronization therapy. In patients with LV dysfunction, there is no clear evidence that the presence of fQRS can predict arrhythmic events. On the other hand, there was a statistically significant difference in mortality associated with the presence of fQRS in patients with acute coronary syndrome and myocardial necrosis. The presence of fQRS has a high specificity and a high positive predictive value for the existence of segmental disorders of myocardial motility in patients with ischemic heart disease.

Keywords : Fragmented QRS complex; electrocardiogram; ischemic heart disease; acute coronary syndrome.

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