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Relation of fragmented QRS to tissue Doppler-derived parametersin patients with familial Mediterranean fever

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Summary

Background

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) may pose a risk for cardiovascular diseases due to continuous inflammatory status observed during the course of the disease. Recently, the presence of fragmented QRS (fQRS) has been recognized as a predictor of myocardial fibrosis. In this study, we aim to investigate the frequency of fQRS and its relation to Doppler-based indices.

Methods

This study consisted of 80 FMF patients and 30 healthy control subjects. fQRS pattern was defined as the presence of additional R waves or RSR’, evidenced by notched R or S wave on electrocardiography (ECG). The patient and the control groups underwent conventional echocardiography and tissue Doppler echocardiography.

Results

There was no significant difference between groups regarding age (29 ± 12 vs 29 ± 15). FMF patients exhibited a statistically higher frequency of fQRS (% 56 vs % 13) (p < 0.01). E/Em ratio showed a statistically significant increase in the FMF group with fQRS (p < 0.0001), while the mean Em value was markedly lower (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

FMF patients displayed a statistically significant increase in frequency of fQRS. Doppler-derived diastolic index was statistically significantly impaired in FMF patients with fQRS as compared with the patients without fQRS. In conclusion, fQRS might be a new noninvasive marker for cardiac involvement in FMF patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey

    Muhammet Murat Celik MD &  Adnan Burak Akcay MD

  2. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey

    Eyup Buyukkaya MD,  Alper Bugra Nacar MD,  Mustafa Kurt MD,  Mehmet Fatih Karakas MD,  Nihat Sen MD &  Adnan Burak Akcay MD

  3. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey

    Nilgul Ustun MD

  4. Department of Cardiology, Van Training and Research Hospital, Van, Turkey

    Perihan Bilen MD

  5. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey

    Mehmet Duru MD

Authors
  1. Muhammet Murat Celik MD
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  2. Eyup Buyukkaya MD
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  3. Nilgul Ustun MD
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  4. Alper Bugra Nacar MD
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  8. Mehmet Duru MD
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  9. Nihat Sen MD
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  10. Adnan Burak Akcay MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Muhammet Murat Celik MD.

Additional information

This study was presented as abstracts of the 29th Turkish Cardiology Congress of Turkish Society of Cardiology with International Participation. October 26–29, 2013, Antalya, Turkey. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2013;62(18_S2):C180. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2013.08.509.

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Celik, M., Buyukkaya, E., Ustun, N. et al. Relation of fragmented QRS to tissue Doppler-derived parametersin patients with familial Mediterranean fever. Wien Klin Wochenschr 127, 185–190 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-015-0714-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-015-0714-x

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