Predictive value of fragmented QRS for ventricular tachyarrhythmias in patients with acute myocardial infarction: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Recent studies indicated that fragmented QRS (fQRS) is associated with malignant cardiac arrhythmias in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, a systematic review and meta-analysis on this issue still have not been conducted. Thus, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to access the predictive value of fQRS for ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VTAs) in patients with AMI. Materials and Methods: We searched the databases of PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library for relevant studies until 8 June 2019. We included studies which compared VTAs in AMI patients with fQRS vs without fQRS. Results: Six studies enrolling 2218 ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients were included in this meta-analysis. The fQRS was significantly associated with greater risk of VTAs in STEMI patients (Odds ratio [OR] 2.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.99-3.95, P <60 years old (OR 3.07, 95% CI 2.02-4.66, P