Relation of Positive T Wave in Lead aVR to Risk of Cardiovascular Mortality

• Published in: The American journal of cardiology Vol. 108; no. 12; pp. 1735 - 1740
• Main Authors: Anttila, Ismo, Nikus, Kjell, Nieminen, Tuomo, Jula, Antti, Salomaa, Veikko, Reunanen, Antti, Nieminen, Markku Sakari, Lehtimäki, Terho, Virtanen, Vesa, Kähönen, Mika
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 15.12.2011; Elsevier; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Cardiology; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cardiovascular; Cardiovascular disease; Cardiovascular Diseases - diagnosis; Cardiovascular Diseases - mortality; Electrocardiography; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Mortality; Risk; Risk factors; Finland; T wave; Risk factor; Lead; Cardiovascular disease; Risk; Circulatory system; Cardiology
• ISSN: 0002-9149; 1879-1913; 1879-1913
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2011.07.042

We examined the prevalence and prognostic impact of a positive T wave in lead aVR (aVRT+) on a standard electrocardiogram in the general population. Data were collected from a large nationally representative (random sample) health examination survey conducted in Finland from 2000 through 2001. The survey consisted of 6,354 subjects (2,876 men and 3,478 women) ≥30 years who participated in the field health examination including standard electrocardiographic (ECG) recording at rest. The prevalence of aVRT+ (defined as positive or isoelectric T wave in lead aVR) was 2.2%. During the median follow-up of 98.5 months (interquartile range 96.6 to 99.6), there were 214 (3.5%) cardiovascular (CV) deaths. In Cox regression analysis after adjustment for age and gender, relative risks for CV and total mortalities associated with aVRT+ were 3.24 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.32 to 4.54, p <0.001) and 1.91 (95% CI 1.47 to 2.49, p <0.001), respectively. In the fully adjusted model controlling for other risk factors, CV morbidity, and ECG findings, the relative risk for CV mortality for aVRT+ was 2.94 (95% CI 2.07 to 4.18, p <0.001). In conclusion, aVRT+, an easily recognized ECG finding, predicts risk for CV mortality in the general population. This finding could aid in screening for risk of total and CV mortalities.