Prognostic value of frontal QRS-T angle in predicting survival after primary percutaneous coronary revascularization/coronary artery bypass grafting for ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Background: Frontal QRS-T angle (FQRST) has previously been correlated with mortality in patients with stable coronary artery disease, but its role as survival predictor after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains unknown. Methods: We evaluated 267 consecutive patients with STEMI undergoing reperfusion or coronary artery bypass grafting. Data assessed included demographics, clinical presentation, electrocardiograms, medical therapy, and one-year mortality. Results: Of 267 patients, 187 (70%) were males and most (49.4%) patients were Caucasian. All-cause mortality was significantly higher among patients with the highest (101–180°) FQRST [28% vs. 15%, p = 0.02]. Patients with FQRST 1–50° had higher survival (85.6%) compared with FQRST = 51–100° (72.3%) and FQRST = 101–180° (67.9%), [log rank, p = 0.01]. Adjusting for significant variables identified during univariate analysis, FQRST (OR = 2.04 [95% CI: 1.31–13.50]) remained an independent predictor of one-year mortality. FQRST-based risk score (1–50° = 0 points, 51–100° = 2 points, 101–180° = 5 points) had excellent discriminatory ability for one-year mortality when combined with Mayo Clinic Risk Score (C statistic = 0.875 [95%CI: 0.813–0.937]. A high (>4 points) FQRST risk score was associated with greater mortality (32% vs. 19%, p = 0.02) and longer length of stay (6 vs. 2 days, p < 0.001). Conclusion: FQRST represents a novel independent predictor of one-year mortality in patients with STEMI undergoing reperfusion. A high FQRST-based risk score was associated with greater mortality and longer length of stay and, after combining with Mayo Clinic Risk Score, improved discriminatory ability for one-year mortality.