KARDIOLOGIA POLSKA, vol.70, no.7, pp.668-676, 2012 (SCI-Expanded)
Background: QRS complex fragmentations can frequently be seen on routine ECG with narrow or wide QRS complex. Fragmented QRS complexes (fQRS) are defined as various RSR' patterns (>= 1 R' or notching of S wave or R wave) in two contiguous leads corresponding to a major coronary artery territory. In previous studies, fQRS has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality, sudden cardiac death and recurrent cardiovascular events. The causative relationship between fQRS and cardiac fibrosis has been shown, but it has not been extensively studied whether there are different mechanisms for the development of fQRS.