The relationship between atrial electromechanical delay and P-wave dispersion with the presence and severity of metabolic syndrome

OBJECTIVES
In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between the presence and severity of metabolic syndrome (MetS) with intra- and inter-atrial electromechanical delay (AEMD) and P-wave dispersion (PWD).

STUDY DESIGN
A total of 144 patients (72 MetS patients and 72 age- and sex-matched control subjects) were included in the study. Patients with MetS were classified into three groups based on the number of MetS criteria as follows: Group 1 (patients with three MetS criteria), Group 2 (patients with four MetS criteria) and Group 3 (patients with five MetS criteria). Intra- and inter-AEMD were measured from parameters of tissue Doppler imaging. PWD was calculated from the 12-lead electrocardiogram.

RESULTS
Both inter-AEMD (22.9±15 vs. 11.5±14, p<0.001) and intra-AEMD (23.6±12 vs. 8.3±19, p<0.001) were found to be significantly longer in patients with MetS than the control group. Similarly, PWD (49±25 vs. 36±24, p=0.001) were found to be significantly longer in the MetS patients than the controls. However, both inter-AEMD and intra-AEMD and P wave measurements were not found to be associated with the severity of MetS. While inter and intra-AEMD were better correlated with LV mass index and LA volume index, PWD correlated better with mitral inflow Doppler parameters. According to multivariate analyses, inter-AEMD, HDL-C, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were found to be independent predictors, whereas E/A and LDL-C had borderline significance. For the intra-AEMD, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index and E/A were found to be independent predictors.

CONCLUSION
In patients with MetS, inter- and intra-AEMD, and P dispersion were found to be lengthened when compared with the controls. However, these parameters were not associated with the severity of MetS.