Influence of Menstrual Cycle on P Wave Dispersion


KARABAĞ T., HANCI V., AYDIN M., DOĞAN S. M., Turan I. O., Yildirim N., ...More

INTERNATIONAL HEART JOURNAL, vol.52, no.1, pp.23-26, 2011 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 52 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2011
  • Doi Number: 10.1536/ihj.52.23
  • Journal Name: INTERNATIONAL HEART JOURNAL
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.23-26
  • Keywords: Menstrual cycle, P wave dispersion, Atrial fibrillation, PAROXYSMAL ATRIAL-FIBRILLATION, HEART-RATE-VARIABILITY, POWER SPECTRAL-ANALYSIS, SINUS RHYTHM, ENLARGEMENT, TACHYCARDIA, DURATION, RISK
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Female gender is an independent risk factor for some types of arrhythmias. We sought to determine whether the menstrual cycle affects P wave dispersion, which is a predictor of atrial fibrillation. The study population consisted of 59 women in follicular phase (mean age, 29.3 +/- 7.7 years) (group F) and 53 women in luteal phase (mean age, 28.1 +/- 6.8 years) (group L). The ECGs of 35 patients (mean age, 26.4 +/- 4.5) were obtained in both follicular and luteal phase. Both groups underwent a standard 12-lead surface electrocardiogram recorded at 50 mm/s. Maximal (Pmax) and minimal P wave durations (Pmin) were measured. P wave dispersion (PD) was defined as the difference between Pmax and Pmin. PD was significantly higher in group L than group F (46.6 +/- 18.5 versus 40.1 +/- 12.7; P < 0.05). Pmin was significantly lower in group L than group F (51.6 +/- 12.1 versus 59.1 +/- 12.1; P = 0.002). When we compared ECGs in different phases of the 35 patients, PD was significantly higher in luteal phase than follicular phase (53.2 +/- 12.3 versus 42.8 +/- 10.2; P < 0.05). Pmin was significantly lower in luteal phase than follicular phase (47.6 +/- 6.6 versus 56 +/- 10.1; P = 0.05). We detected a significant correlation between the day of the menses and PD (r = 0.27; P < 0.05). PD was increased in luteal phase compared to follicular phase, and this difference was more prominent as the days of the cycle progressed. (Int Heart J 2011; 52: 23-26)