Journal of Critical and Intensive Care 2023 , Vol 14 , Issue 2
The Association of Fragmented QRS with Outcomes in Elderly Medical ICU Patients
Kamil INCI1,Timor OMAR2,Mustafa DILEK3,Soner KINA3,Zeynep BINICI CELIK3,Doğan ILIS2
1Harakani State Hospital, Department of Intensive Care Unit, Kars, T
2Harakani State Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Kars, Turkey
3Harakani State Hospital, Department of Anesthesiology, Kars, Turkey
DOI : 10.37678/dcybd.2023.3411

Summary

Objective: The study was conducted to assess the relationship between QRS fragmentation identified by a 12- lead electrocardiogram and outcomes in elderly medical intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

Methods: The patients 65 years and older were retrospectively investigated. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of QRS fragmentation (fQRS). Findings were compared between two groups. In addition, ICU survivors and non-survivors were compared to identify the factors affecting ICU mortality.

Results: fQRS presence was more frequent in patients with underlying hypertension and coronary artery disease (60% vs 27%, p=0.01, and 29% vs 7%, p=0.05, respectively). Patients with fQRS had higher APACHEII scores (26.3±8 vs 22.5±7.3, p=0.01). C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin levels were higher in patients with fQRS (100[57–220] vs 25[12–54] and 2[0.5–4.75] vs 0.2[0.7–1], respectively, p<0.01). QRS fragmentation was more frequent in ICU non-survivors than survivors (22(61%) vs 13(22%), p<0.01). ICU non-survivors had higher APACHE-II and SOFA scores than survivors (29.9±6.6 vs 0.2±5.9 and 10[7–16] vs 6[3–9], respectively, p<0.01). Requirement of invasive mechanical ventilation, APACHE-II, and SOFA Score on ICU admission were independently associated with ICU mortality (OR (95%CI): 22(2.7–147), p=0.01 and 1.28(1.04–1.59), p=0.02 and 1.10(1.01–1.19), p=0.03, respectively).

Conclusion: The fQRS has a significant potential to be a prognostic marker in specific non-cardiac ICU patient populations.