Relationship between J Waves and Vagal Activity in Patients Who Do Not Have Structural Heart Disease. Issue 5 (25th August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baek, Yong‐Soo; Park, Sang‐Don; Lee, Man‐Jong; Kwon, Sung‐Woo; Shin, Sung‐Hee; Woo, Sung‐Il; Kwan, Jun; Kim, Dae‐Hyeok
• Is Part Of: Annals of noninvasive electrocardiology. Volume 20:Issue 5(2015)
• Page Start: 464
• Page End: 473
• Publication Date: 2015-08-25
• Subjects: Electrocardiography -- Periodicals; Arrhythmia -- Periodicals; 616.1207547
• DOI: 10.1111/anec.12302
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1082-720X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="anec12302-sec-0010" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>J waves are associated with increased vagal activity in patients with idiopathic ventricular fibrillation in several studies to date. However, the relationship between J waves and autonomic nervous activity in patients without structural heart disease remains under investigation. We investigated whether the presence of a J wave on the surface electrocardiogram (ECG) was related to increased vagal activity in patients without structural heart disease.</p> </sec> <sec id="anec12302-sec-0020" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>This retrospective study included 684 patients without structural heart disease who had undergone Holter ECG and surface ECG monitoring. Based on the presence of J waves on the surface ECG, patients were divided into two groups: those with J waves (group 1) and those without J waves (group 2). We compared heart rate variability (HRV), reflecting autonomic nervous activity, using 24‐h Holter ECG between the groups.</p> </sec> <sec id="anec12302-sec-0030" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>J waves were present in 92 (13.4%) patients. Heart rate (HR) in group 1 was significantly lesser than that in group 2 (P = 0.031). The ratio of low‐frequency (LF) components to high‐frequency (HF) components (LF/HF) in group 1 was significantly lower than that in group 2 (P = 0.001). The square root of the mean squared differences of successive NN intervals in group 1 was also significantly higher than that in group 2 (P = 0.047). In a multivariate regression analysis, male sex, HR, and LF/HF ratio remained independent determinants for the presence of J waves (P = 0.039, P = 0.036, and P < 0.001, respectively).</p> </sec> <sec id="anec12302-sec-0040" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>In patients without structural heart disease, the presence of a J wave was associated with a slow HR, male sex, and increased vagal activity, independently.</p> </sec> </abstract>