CORRELATION OF ARRHYTHMIAS AND CONDUCTION DEFECTS ON THE RESTING ELECTROCARDIOGRAM WITH NEW CARDIAC EVENTS IN 1,153 ELDERLY PATIENTS

A prospective study correlated arrhythmias and conduction defects diagnosed by electrocardiogram with cardiac events in 1,153 elderly patients. The follow-up period was 45 +/- 18 months (range 9 to 61 months). The incidence of cardiac events (myocardial infarction, primary ventricular fibrillation, or sudden cardiac death) was increased in patients with atrial fibrillation (p < 0.001), pacemaker rhythm (p < 0.001), premature ventricular complexes (p < 0.001), left bundle-branch block (p < 0.001), intraventricular conduction defect (p < 0.001), or second-degree atrioventricular block (p < 0.05). The incidence of cardiac events was not increased in patients with right bundle-branch block, left anterior fascicular block, or first-degree atrioventricular block. Atrial fibrillation, pacemaker rhythm, premature ventricular complexes, left bundle-branch block, intraventricular conduction defect, and type II second-degree atrioventricular block are risk factors for cardiac events in elderly patients.