Signal-averaged electrocardiography in patients with AL (primary) amyloidosis

Am Heart J. 1997 Dec;134(6):994-1001. doi: 10.1016/s0002-8703(97)70017-6.

Abstract

One hundred thirty-three patients with biopsy-proven AL amyloidosis were studied with echocardiography, Holter recording, 12-lead electrocardiography, and signal-averaged electrocardiograms. Features from these tests were analyzed in relation to their effect on mortality. Late potentials were more frequent in patients with echocardiographic evidence of cardiac amyloidosis (31%) compared with patients with normal echocardiograms (9%, p < 0.003). One hundred six of the 133 patients died during follow-up, of which 34 were nonsudden cardiac deaths and 33 were sudden deaths. Abnormal echocardiograms and signal-averaged electrocardiograms were each predictive of all-cause cardiac death (p < 0.0001 ) and sudden cardiac death (p < 0.0001). Abnormal signal-averaged electrocardiograms were also independently predictive of sudden death in the subgroup of patients with an abnormal echocardiogram (p < 0.05). Thus late potentials are predictive of sudden death in patients with AL amyloidosis and provide independent prognostic information in patients with echocardiographic evidence of amyloid involvement.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Amyloidosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Amyloidosis / mortality
  • Amyloidosis / physiopathology*
  • Cardiomyopathies / diagnostic imaging
  • Cardiomyopathies / mortality
  • Cardiomyopathies / physiopathology*
  • Death, Sudden, Cardiac
  • Electrocardiography*
  • Electrocardiography, Ambulatory
  • Female
  • Heart Conduction System / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Membrane Potentials
  • Middle Aged
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prognosis
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted*
  • Ultrasonography