Conventional ECG markers do not predict ventricular fibrillation during ST-elevation myocardial infarction

The QRS duration does not always reflect the left ventricular (LV) activation delay in patients with ventricular conduction disturbances. The R-wave offset in left chest leads may more closely reflect the LV activation delay than the QRS offset.We evaluated 138 cases with left bundle branch block (LBBB, n = 11), right BBB (RBBB, n = 38), non-specific intraventricular conduction disturbance (n = 11), narrow QRS (< 120 ms, n = 56) and right ventricular pacing (n = 22). Cases with right axis deviation (120 to 270 degrees) were excluded. The intervals from the QRS onset to the V-waves in coronary sinus bipolar electrograms (QCS) were measured, and the longest interval was defined as the QCSmax. In the 12-lead electrocardiogram, the interval from the QRS onset to the R-wave offset (QR) was measured and then averaged in leads I–aVL, II–III–aVF, V1–V2, V3–V4 and V5–V6.Significant correlations (p < 0.05) were found between QCSmax and QR in I–aVL (r = 0.83), II–III–aVF (r = 0.51) and V5–V6 (r = 0.86) in cases with a normal axis (0 to 90 degrees, n = 64); and I–aVL (r = 0.90), II–III–aVF (r = 0.31) and V5–V6 (r = 0.69) in cases with left axis deviation (− 45 to − 89 degrees, n = 52). Overall, the QRS duration was also correlated with QCSmax (r = 0.72, p < 0.001); however, this correlation was weaker than the correlation between QCSmax and QR in I–aVL (r = 0.89, p < 0.001) due to disparities in RBBB (p < 0.001).The interval from the QRS onset to R-wave offset in the left chest leads reflects the degree of LV activation delay regardless of differences in QRS duration and morphology.