Association Between Non-Dipping and Fragmented QRS Complexes in Prehypertensive Patients

Abstract Background: Fragmented QRS (fQRS) is a sign of adverse cardiovascular events in various cardiovascular diseases. It is also associated with increased blood pressure and non-dipping in hypertensive patients. However, no study has investigated the importance of fQRS in prehypertensive patients. Objectives: The aim of our study is to investigate the relationship between fQRS and non-dipper status in prehypertensive patients. Methods: Two hundred and sixteen eligible, newly diagnosed prehypertensive patients who underwent 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) for further evaluation of blood pressure between June 2015 and July 2016 were included into the study. Patients were divided into three groups according to ABPM results: normotensives, dipper prehypertensives, and non-dipper prehypertensives. Groups were compared regarding presence of fQRS on electrocardiography. Additionally, multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between fQRS and blood pressure pattern in prehypertensive patients. Results: According to ABPM recordings, 61 patients had normotensive blood pressure pattern (systolic blood pressure