OBJECTIVETo determine the value of measuring P wave dispersion of ECG in the diagnosis of pulmonary heart disease in patients with coal worker's pneumoconiosis.

METHODS50 patients with stage III and 185 patients with different stages of coal worker's pneumoconiosis were included in the study. Compare the P wave of ECG and investigate nine indexes of P-wave dispersion.

RESULTSThe figure of ECG P wave dispersion was distinct, easy to measure and of high positive incidence. The positive incidence of indexes (P wave voltage > or = 0.22 mV, P wave axis > or = +80 degrees, P1 lead peak angle < or = 70 degrees, P wave elevation speed > or = 0.5 mm/s, PavL inversion, IPIV1 > or = 0.03 mms, Ta wave depressed > or = 0.05 mV, height of PV1 biphasic wave straight sharp corner > 0.07 mV) were 74.00%, 72.00%, 68.00%, 62.00%, 56.00%, 60.00%, 54.00%, 34.00% in 50 cases patients with stage III coal worker's pneumoconiosis, the discrepancy had statistical significance (P < 0.01). The above ECG P wave dispersion indexes was higher with coal worker pneumoconiosis stage, the discrepancy had statistical significance (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSAdopt P wave dispersion as the index of measuring right atrial hypertrophy is beneficial to the early diagnosis of pulmonary heart disease in patients with coal worker's pneumoconiosis.