Spectrum of electrocardiographic abnormalities in a large cohort of cardiac masses
Authors' conclusion
ECG frequently is abnormal in cases of malignant cardiac tumors. Some specific ECG changes are strongly suggestive for malignancy and type of infiltration.
Study context
- Population
- Consecutive patients with a cardiac mass and available electrocardiographic (ECG) at Bologna University Hospital
- Participants
- 322 patients
- Exposure
- Malignant vs benign cardiac masses
- Malignantn = 98
- Outcome
- Spectrum of ECG abnormalities and ECG predictors of malignancy
Methodological detailsconsecutive patients, single-centre
- Consecutive patients
- Single-centre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Independent ECG predictors of malignancy (multivariable regression) · at presentation
Malignant
30.4%
98
- Higher heart rate on admission
- P = 0.014
- Bradyarrhythmias
- P = 0.009
- Ischemic-like repolarization abnormalities (ST depression/elevation, negative T-wave)
- P < 0.001
- Low voltages
- P = 0.001
- Right-axis deviation
- P = 0.025
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
All-cause mortality · median 20.7 months
- Malignancy-oriented ECG associated with higher mortality
Original publication
Spectrum of electrocardiographic abnormalities in a large cohort of cardiac masses. Heart Rhythm. Published 21 June 2024. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it