Septal q waves as an indicator of risk of mortality in elderly patients with chronic heart failure

Background The absence of electrocardiographic septal q wave is a recognized marker of left ventricular disease. We aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of absent septal q waves in elderly (age >65 years) patients with chronic heart failure. Methods A total of 110 patients (mean age 73 +/- 4 years) with New York Heart Association functional class II to IV and left ventricular ejection fraction of <45% were enrolled in the study. Standard 12-lead electrocardiograms were critically analyzed for the presence or absence of septal q waves in leads 1, aVL, V-5, and V-6 Patient survival was determined from hospital and general practitioner records and National Statistics Registry at a mean follow-up of 4 years. Results Septal q waves were absent in 71 and present in 39 patients. The overall mortality,rate was 47% (43 patients). The, incidence of death was 49% (36 patients) in the group with no septal q waves and 18% (7 patients) in those who demonstrated septal q waves. On univariate analysis by Cox proportional hazard method, absence of septal q waves was found to be a strong marker of poor prognosis in CHIF (P = .003, hazard ratio 1.40, 95% CI 1.10-1.67). Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed a significant difference in. survival independent of age, New York Heart Association functional class, peak VO2 and QRS duration between these 2 groups'. Conclusions Absence of the normal septal q wave on 12-lead electrocardiography, which may indicate structural heart disease and myocardial fibrosis, is on independent predictor of poor prognosis in elderly patients with CHF.