Abstract 13261: Global T Wave Inversion: Incidence and Implications in Critically Ill Patients
Garen Kroshian, Christopher Phelan, dennis tighe, Elizabeth Tighe- Physiology (medical)
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
Background: Symmetric global T-wave inversion (GTWI) occurs in 0.3% of general hospital admits. As reported by Walder and Spodick, GTWI exhibited a 4:1 female preponderance and was often associated with ACS or central nervous system (CNS) disorders; in-hospital mortality was not affected. Anecdotally we have observed this ECG pattern in critically-ill medical ICU (MICU) patients. We hypothesized that GTWI is more prevalent among MICU patients and may be associated with adverse outcomes.
Methods: We reviewed the ECGs, demographic, clinical, and physiological data of 1652 consecutive patients admitted to 2 medical ICUs. Those admitted to CCU and Neuro ICU were excluded as were MICU patients with a primary diagnosis of ACS, acute CNS syndrome, LBBB, ventricular pacing, pre-excitation, and uninterpretable ECG. ECGs performed within 48 hours of ICU admit were reviewed by 2 blinded readers. GTWI was defined by the criteria of Walder and Spodick. The GTWI group was compared to 95 matched patients without GTWI.
Results: See Table. GTWI occurred in 75 patients (4.5%); 56% of whom were female. Significant differences between GTWI vs control included history of CAD (p=0.03), cardiomyopathy (p=0.035), CKD (p=0.046), and prior EP procedure (p=0.023). In addition, QT-interval (p<0.0001), QTc (p<0.0001) and BNP (1433±1725 vs 750±978 pg/mL; p=0.032) were greater in the GTWI group. LVEF (52.7±16.2% vs 55.6±14.1%) and cTnI (1.35±2.52 vs 1.25±4.15 pg/mL) were similar. MICU days and APACHE II score were greater in those with GTWI. Total length of stay and in-hospital mortality were similar.
Conclusions: In this critically-ill MICU cohort, GTWI was more prevalent compared to previously reported general hospital admits. A distinct female preponderance was not found. This ECG pattern was associated with underlying cardiac disease, greater length of MICU stay and higher illness severity, but was not associated with higher in-hospital morality.