Role of the low amplitude potential in the initial P wave signal-averaged electrocardiogram [corrected] in sick sinus syndrome.

BACKGROUND

The cause of abnormally low amplitude of the initial P wave signal-averaged electrocardiogram (P-SAECG) in patients with sick sinus syndrome (SSS) is unknown.

METHODS AND

RESULTS

Thirteen normal patients (Group C) and 33 with SSS (Group S) were examined. The root mean square amplitude for the initial 30 ms (EP30) and the duration of below-4 microV signals of the filtered P waves (ED4) were measured using the P-SAECG. The interval from an atrial potential on the sinus-node electrogram (SNE) to P wave onset (AS-P), and the interval from the P wave to the atrial potential on the His-bundle-electrogram (P-AH) were measured in the electrophysiological study. The sino-atrial conduction time was measured by a conventional method (indirect sino-atrial conduction time (SACTi)) and using SNE (direct sino-atrial conduction time (SACTd)). The EP30 was significantly lower and the ED4 significantly longer in Group S. The AS-P was significantly longer in Group S (p<0.01), but the P-AH was not different. In Group S, the AS-P was significantly correlated with EP30 and ED4 (p<0.01), but the P-AH was uncorrelated. The SACTi was significantly correlated with EP30 and ED4 (p<0.05), but the SACTd was uncorrelated.

CONCLUSION

The abnormality of the initial portion of the P-SAECG observed in SSS appears to be due to disturbed conduction through the atrial myocardium around the sino-atrial node.