Objectives To investigate the relationship between ventricular later potential (VLP) and fragmented QRS complex (fQRS) in acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients.

Methods Acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients who admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University from January 2011 to June 2011 were included in this prospective study, and all patients were given VLP examination and fQRS on a 12-Lead Electrocardiogram. There were 239 patients all together, who were divided into two groups according to whether fQRS were positive or not: fQRS positive group (172 patients) and fQRS negative group (67 patients). Data were analysed using a statistical software programme (SPSS V.13.0; SPSS Inc, USA). Categorical data between two groups were compared by χ² test.

Results In fQRS positive group (172 patients), 69.2% (119 patients) were VLP positive; while in fQRS negative group (67 patients), only 3.0%(2 patients) were VLP positive. The VLP positive rate was significantly higher in fQRS positive group than in fQRS negative group (X²=84.54, p<0.001).

Conclusions In acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients, the VLP positive rate in fQRS positive group was significantly higher than that in fQRS negative group.