P-wave dispersion in systemic AA amyloidosis of familial Mediterranean fever

Abstract

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a hereditary disease characterized by attacks of fever and polyserositis. Recent studies differ as to whether FMF is associated with an abnormally high P-wave duration and P-wave dispersion, markers for supraventricular arrhythmogenicity. The aim of our study was to further evaluate atrial dispersion in FMF patients with amyloidosis. The study groups consisted of 16 patients with FMF and amyloidosis, and 16 age- and sex-matched control subjects. All participants underwent 12-lead electrocardiography under strict standards. P-wave length and P-wave dispersion in each individual patient were computed from a randomly selected beat and an averaged beat constructed from 7 to 12 beats, included in a 10-s electrocardiogram. No statistically significant differences were found between the groups for minimal, maximal, and average P-wave duration and P-wave dispersion, calculated either from a random beat or averaged beats. In conclusion, although a small difference cannot be excluded because of the small study groups, FMF patients with amyloidosis appear to have atrial conduction parameters similar to those of healthy controls, and therefore apparently do not have an increased electrocardiographic risk for developing supraventricular arrhythmias.