Study of P wave dispersion in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and its role in prediction of atrial fibrillation recurrence.

Background: It has been known that increased P wave duration and P wave dispersion reflect prolongation of intra-atrial and interatrial conduction time and the inhomogeneous propagation of sinus impulses, which are well-known electrophysiologic characteristics in patients with atrial arrhythmias and especially paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The objective of this study was assessment of P wave dispersion value in cases with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and its role in predicting recurrence.

Results: Forty-eight patients with documented paroxysmal AF were subjected to clinical evaluation, electrocardiogram and routine Doppler echocardiogram.