The strain pattern, and not Sokolow–Lyon electrocardiographic voltage criteria, is independently associated with anatomic left ventricular hypertrophy

Electrocardiographic Abnormalities in Nigerian Hypertensives With Echocardiographic Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

Introduction To enhance the diagnosis of anatomic left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) using electrocardiography (ECG), we aimed to identify common ECG amplitude and non-amplitude abnormalities in Nigerian patients with hypertensive echocardiographic LVH. Method The study included 1,765 patients with essential hypertension aged 18 years and older from the Federal Medical Centre Abuja Hypertension Registry (FMCAHR). Participants underwent echocardiography and ECG following the American College of Cardiology and the American Society of Echocardiography guidelines. Results The prevalence of overall ECG LVH amplitude criteria (43.8%) and individual criteria of Cornell voltage (27.1%), Sokolow-Lyon voltage (23.2%), and Gubner-Ungerleider (13.9%) were higher than non-amplitude ECG abnormalities among patients with echocardiographic LVH. The sensitivity and specificity of LVH criteria were 43.8% and 79.5% for overall ECG LVH, 23.2% and 87.2% for Sokolow-Lyon voltage, 27.1% and 93.3% for Cornell voltage, and 13.9% and 95.4% for Gubner-Ungerleider criteria, respectively. After multivariable adjustment, non-amplitude ECG changes, including prolonged corrected QT (QTc) (odds ratio (OR): 1.68, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06-2.66), left ventricular (LV) strain pattern (OR: 1.83, CI: 1.23-2.72), left axis deviation (OR: 1.56, CI: 1.09-2.24), poor R wave progression (OR: 2.36, CI: 1.40-3.97), premature ventricular contractions (OR: 1.80, CI: 1.10-2.91), premature atrial contractions (OR: 2.06, CI: 1.10-3.87), atrial fibrillation (OR: 2.40, CI: 1.20-4.82), and left atrial abnormality (OR: 8.43, CI: 2.95-24.05), were associated with echocardiographic LVH (p < 0.05). Conclusion In our cohort of hypertensive patients, ECG LVH amplitude criteria were the most frequently observed abnormalities associated with echocardiographic LVH. Our findings suggest that despite the low sensitivity, ECG LVH amplitude criteria may remain valuable in diagnosing echocardiographic LVH.

Estimating Left Ventricular Mass from the Electrocardiogram across the Spectrum of LV Mass from Normal to Increased LV Mass in an Older Age Group

Objectives

To examine the relationship of QRS voltages and left ventricular (LV) mass across the spectrum of individuals with different LV mass.

Methods

Twenty QRS voltage measurements or combinations were determined in a consecutive series of 159 adults with an ECG and echocardiogram without previous myocardial infarction, left or right bundle branch block, pre-excitation, or electronic pacemaker.

Results

The four strongest and significant correlations between QRS and LV mass were S in V4, deepest S wave in any precordial lead plus S in V4, S in V3, and S in V3 plus R in AVL times QRS duration. For men, the strength of the relationships were S in V3 (F = 33.8), deepest S wave in any precordial lead plus S V4 (F = 33.7), S in V3 plus R aVL (F = 29.9), S in V4 (F = 29.79), and deepest S in precordial leads (F = 17.9). The R wave in AVL alone did not correlate with LV mass. Criteria using the R wave in lateral precordial leads did not correlate as strongly with LV mass. For women, only S in V4 significantly correlated with LV mass. Overall, the R wave voltage in limb leads (AVL I or II) did not correlate with precordial S wave amplitudes. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that some but not all QRS voltages correlated with each other. In multivariate analysis, using only single variables and not combination of QRS variables, the only significant relationship between QRS voltage and left ventricular mass was for men the S in V3 (p = 0.04) and for women S in V4 (p = 0.016) and R in V6 (p = 0.04).

Conclusion

The S wave in V3 and V4 correlate most strongly with LV mass while the R wave in limb leads, including AVL, do not correlate.

Can left ventricular hypertrophy on electrocardiography detect severe aortic valve stenosis?

BACKGROUND

Severe aortic stenosis (AS) is increasing in the aging society and is a serious condition for anesthetic management. However, approximately one-third of patients with severe AS are asymptomatic. Echocardiography is the most reliable method to detect AS, but it takes time and is costly.

METHODS

Data were obtained retrospectively from patients who underwent surgery and preoperative transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). LVH on ECG was determined by voltage criteria (Sv1 + Rv5 or 6 ≥3.5 mV) and/or the strain pattern in V5 and V6. Severe AS was defined as a mean transaortic pressure gradient ≥40 mmHg or aortic valve area ≤1.0 cm2 by TTE.

RESULTS

Data for 470 patients aged 28-94 years old were obtained. One hundred and twenty-six patients had severe AS. LVH on ECG by voltage criteria alone was detected in 182 patients, LVH by strain pattern alone was detected in 80 patients and LVH by both was detected in 55 patients. Multivariable logistic analysis revealed that LVH by the strain pattern or voltage criteria, diabetes mellitus, and age were significantly associated with severe AS. The AUC for the ROC curve for LVH by voltage criteria alone was 0.675 and the cut-off value was 3.84 mm V, and the AUC for the ROC for age was 0.675 and the cut-off value was 74 years old.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that patients who are 74 years old or over with LVH on ECG, especially those with DM, should undergo preoperative TTE in order to detect severe AS.

The association of severity of retinal vascular changes and cardiac remodelling in systemic hypertension

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to explore the association between hypertensive retinopathy, grades of retinopathy and cardiac remodelling.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional observational study. A total of 500 consecutive hypertensive adults from the in-patient population were studied for the presence of hypertensive retinopathy by dilated fundoscopy. The presence of cardiac remodelling due to hypertension was studied both by electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography. Hypertensive target organ damage in other organs was also screened. In addition, the association of grades of hypertensive retinopathy with target organ damage was also analyzed.

RESULTS

Systolic blood pressure (BP) at presentation and duration of hypertension showed no relationship with markers of hypertensive heart disease. However, diastolic BP was significantly higher in patients with retinopathy. Hypertensive retinopathy was diagnosed in 324 subjects of whom 90 had grades 3 and 4 retinopathy. Patients with grades 3 and 4 retinopathy had significant associations with ECG evidence of left ventricular (LV) strain pattern and left atrial enlargement, and a weaker association with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) using QRS voltage criteria (Sokolov-Lyon). On echocardiography, grades 3 and 4 retinopathy were significantly associated with LVH, left atrial enlargement and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), as well as with higher creatinine values. A large number of these patients presented with heart failure. Cardiac remodelling was not seen in patients without retinopathy and was uncommon in patients with grades 1 and 2 retinopathy.

CONCLUSION

Grades 3 and 4 retinopathy demonstrated a significant association with LV strain pattern and left atrial enlargement on ECG, LVH and reduced LVEF on echocardiography as well as with heart failure. There was no relationship with systolic BP and duration of hypertension, while diastolic BP showed a significant positive correlation. Signs of hypertensive heart disease were practically absent in patients without hypertensive retinopathy and uncommon in those with grade 1-2 alterations.