Value of Fragmented QRS Complex on 12-lead ECG as A Valuable Marker of Myocardial Damage of CAD Patients

Background: Presence of Fragmented QRS (fQRS) on a 12-lead Electrocardiogram (ECG) was associated with various cardiac diseases. This phenomenon could represent as an electrical disruption of conduction system following myocardial damage due to coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to investigate the value of fQRS to detect the myocardial scar as detected by SPECT Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (MPI). Methods: A cross-sectional study of patients with clinical diagnosis of CAD who underwent Cardiac SPECT. The fQRS defined as morphologies of QRS wave (1 R’ (fragmentation) in 2 contiguous leads, corresponding to a major coronary artery territory. Pathological Q wave, paced rhythm, typical right or left bundle branch block pattern with QRS duration of ≥ 120 ms were excluded. MPI was interpreted by visual analysis and semi-quantitative scores on 17-segment assessment according to standard nomenclature. Results: Total of 72 patients (49 males, mean age 54.7 ± 9.8 years). fQRS was found in 46 patients (64%). The frequency of myocardial scar was significantly higher in patients with fQRS (89% vs. 15%, p