Body surface mapping criteria for diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy associated with complete right bundle branch block

The standard electrocardiographic (ECG) criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy are unreliable in patients with complete right bundle branch block. This study was undertaken to formulate criteria for diagnosing these patients by using body surface mapping. The echocardiographic left ventricular mass was calculated by the Penn method from M-mode measurements. Of 56 patients, 27 were defined as having left ventricular hypertrophy with a left ventricular mass of 215 g or more. Isopotential and isointegral maps of the QRS complex were observed. The QRS isointegral maps were separated into two parts at the end of the downstroke of the initial R wave of vector spatial magnitude. The body surface mapping criteria with the highest sensitivity were EPmax (maximum of early part of the QRS) 45 μV·s or greater (sensitivity 93%, specificity 90%), EPmax/d (EPmax averaged by EP duration) 0.8 mV or greater (sensitivity 93%, specificity 97%), and Max (initial maximum) 2.2 mV or greater (sensitivity 89%, specificity 90%). These results suggest that body surface mapping is a useful technique in diagnosing patients with left ventricular hypertrophy and right bundle branch block.     

Left ventricular hypertrophy in acute stroke patients with known hypertension

Background: Despite effective treatments, hypertension remains uncontrolled in nearly half of the people with hypertension in the United States. Uncontrolled hypertension leads to end organ damage, such as left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). To identify reasons for uncontrolled hypertension, we interviewed acute stroke patients with a history of hypertension and evaluated for LVH. Methods: Using a standardized questionnaire, we collected demographic, socioeconomic, and health-care data in 300 acute ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients in one hospital. We also collected relevant clinical data from medical records. We analyzed factors associated with echocardiographic LVH as a marker of uncontrolled hypertension in 190 acute stroke patients with a history of hypertension. Results: Overall, 46% (88/190) of patients had LVH. In univariate analysis, lower household income and self-reported poor adherence to hypertension treatment were significantly associated with increased risk of LVH. In multiple logit modeling, only poor adherence to hypertension treatment remained significantly associated with LVH, odds ratio 1.77 (95% CI: 1.01–3.11), p < 0.05. Conclusions: In acute stroke patients, poor adherence to hypertension treatment is a significant independent predictor of LVH. A clear reason for poor adherence to treatment is elusive in a large proportion of these patients in our study. Further research is needed to identify and develop strategies to combat the key factors responsible for poor adherence to hypertension treatment.     

Prognostic implications of left ventricular hypertrophy diagnosed on electrocardiogram vs echocardiography

It is unclear whether 12‐lead ECG employing standard criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) provides similar information with respect to long‐term cardiovascular risk as echocardiography. The authors performed a retrospective cohort study of 1376 individuals without cardiovascular disease, who underwent ECG (LVH defined using the Sokolow‐Lyon voltage combination (>35 mm) or the Cornell voltage‐duration product (>2440 mm × ms)) and echocardiography (LVH defined as LV mass index (LVMI) >95 g/m² for women and >115 g/m² for men). The prognostic ability of LVH was assessed in Cox regression models adjusted for age, sex, smoking, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, antihypertensive medication, and fasting glucose. The primary end point was the composite of coronary events, heart failure, stroke, or death. The main secondary end point was heart failure or cardiovascular death. Median age was 67 (range 56‐79) years, 68% were male. Eleven percent had ECG‐defined LVH, 17% had echocardiographic LVH. Over median 8.5 years, 29% experienced a primary event. Event rates were 29%/35% for persons without/with ECG‐defined LVH and 27%/39% for those without/with echocardiographic LVH. The Sokolow‐Lyon combination, Cornell product, and ECG‐defined LVH did not significantly predict the primary end point (P ≥ .05), but ECG‐defined LVH predicted heart failure or cardiovascular death (adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 1.86, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.13‐3.08); P = .02). Conversely, LVMI was a significant, independent predictor of the primary end point (adjusted HR, 1.87, 95% CI, 1.13‐3.10; P = .01), as was echocardiographic LVH (adjusted HR, 1.27, 95% CI, 1.01‐1.61; P = .04). Echocardiographic LVH may be a better predictor of long‐term cardiovascular risk than ECG‐defined LVH in middle‐aged and older individuals.     

Association between fasting plasma glucose and left ventricular mass and left ventricular hypertrophy over 4 years in a healthy population aged 60 and older

OBJECTIVES: To test the association between fasting glucose level and left ventricular mass (LVM) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in people aged 60 and older. DESIGN: Population-based prospective study with 4-year follow-up. SETTING: Department of Internal Medicine and Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU), Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, and Graduate Institute of Medicine and Public Health, KMU. PARTICIPANTS: Of 1,500 people screened, 105 without symptoms or signs of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or cardiovascular disease were recruited from senior activity centers in Kaohsiung city. MEASUREMENTS: All received two-dimensional echocardiography and fasting glucose examination at baseline and at 2- and 4-year follow-up. LVH was defined as a LVM index (LVMI) greater than 122.4 g/m(2) or 51 g/m(2.7). RESULTS: Age ranged from 60 to 81 (mean 71.7+/-3.9). Baseline glucose ranged from 83 to 118 mg/dL (mean 99.7+/-7.9 mg/dL). LVMI was significantly higher at the 4-year follow-up (97.5+/-24.9 vs 104.5+/-27.5 g/m(2) and 44.2+/-12.1 vs 47.2+/-13.4 g/m(2.7), both P<.01), as was the occurrence of LVH (16% vs 32% and 25% vs 39%, both P<.01). Baseline glucose correlates with 4-year change in LVMI (both P<.02). In the fourth year, baseline glucose was a significant predictor of LVMI (both P<.01) and LVH (P=.03 in g/m(2) definition) using logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Because fasting glucose is an independent predictor for greater LVM and for development of LVH, it should be considered in assessment of cardiac disease and LVM in healthy older people without diabetes mellitus.     

Symmetric and asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with end-stage renal failure on long-term hemodialysis

Background: Patients with end-stage renal disease on regular hemodialysis have an increased prevalence of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy that is associated with morbidity and mortality. Asymmetric septal hypertrophy and impairment of LV outflow can occur in these patients and may contribute to adverse outcomes. More insight into the prevalence, extent, geometry, and promoting factors of LV hypertrophy is important. Methods: An unselected group of 62 patients (31 women), aged 55 ± 14 years, on maintenance hemodialysis was investigated by Doppler echocardiography. Eight patients with valvular heart disease were excluded from further analysis. We assessed prevalence of LV hypertrophy and asymmetric septal hypertrophy, as well as parameters of LV geometry and LV filling and outflow dynamics. Results: Prevalence of LV hypertrophy was 65%. Patients were analyzed according to LV mass and geometry. Mean LV mass index was normal (105 ± 17 g/m²) in Group 1 without LV hypertrophy (n = 19); it was markedly elevated in Group 2 (symmetric hypertrophy, n = 22) and Group 3 (asymmetric hypertrophy with systolic anterior movement of mitral valve, n = 7), and highest (191 ± 54 g/m²) in Group 4 (asymmetric hypertrophy without systolic anterior movement of mitral valve, n = 6, p < 0.001). Age, body mass index, and duration of hypertension were associated with LV hypertrophy and asymmetric septal hypertrophy (p = 0.01). Group 3 with systolic anterior motion of mitral valve had the smallest end-diastolic LV diameters (p = 0.02); increased heart rates, and increased ejection velocities in the LV outflow tract (p = 0.03, and p = 0.005, respectively, vs. Groups 1,2, and 4) which pointed to an impairment of LV outflow. Conclusions: Symmetric LV hypertrophy and asymmetric septal hypertrophy are frequent in patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Predictors for LV hypertrophy were age and body mass index, and, particularly for asymmetric septal hypertrophy, age and hypertension duration. Volume withdrawal during hemodialysis may lead to symptomatic hypotension due to dynamic obstruction in some patients with severe asymmetric septal hypertrophy.     

应用超声心动图评价克山病患者的左室肥厚及左室重构

目的应用超声心动图观察克山病左室质量（LVM）及左室质量指数（LVMI）,从而评价克山病患者的左室肥厚及左室重构情况。方法在黑龙江省克山病病区,对53例经病史、查体、X线摄影和心电图检查确认为克山病的患者行超声心动图检查,观察其左室质量及左室质量指数的变化,结果与对照组比较。结果克山病患者的LVM及LVMI明显增大（P〈0.01）。患者的左室肥厚比例明显增高（P〈0.01）。超声心动图对克山病患者的左室肥厚的检出率明显高于心电图（P〈0.01）。结论克山病患者的LVM及LVMI明显增大,克山病患者中普遍存在着左室肥厚及左室重构。超声心动图能直观地观察克山病的LVM及LVMI,对克山病患者的左室肥厚及左室重构做出准确的评价。     

体重指数校正心电图QRS电压对左心室肥大诊断的影响

目的探讨体重指数校正心电图QRS电压诊断左心室肥大的临床意义.方法检测58例原发性高血压患者和健康体检者心脏超声左心室质量指数(LVMI)、QRS电压校正值[实测值(SV11+Rv5/v6)×(BMI/22)2],观察QRS电压实测值、校正值与LVMI的相关性.结果QRS电压校正值与LVMI呈明显相关,回归方程为y(Sv1+Rv5/v6)c=0.298X(LVMI)-2.481,当LVMI=134g/m2时,取(Sv1+Rv5/v6)c近似值≥40mm,诊断左心室肥大敏感性69.6%,特异性91.4%、准确性82.8%,阳性预测值84.2%,阴性预测值82.1%.结论体重指数校正心电图QRS电压能显著提高左心室肥大的诊断价值.     

The electrocardiogram in left ventricular hypertrophy: past and future

The electrocardiographic diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) has been centered on improving the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the method, using criteria whose precise relationship to increased left ventricular mass are not established. Although the electrocardiogram (ECG) has been displaced to a secondary role in the prediction of left ventricular mass, ECG/LVH has been shown to be a strong predictor of morbidity and early mortality. There are strong clues that each of the parameters in ECG/LVH is related to cardiac contractility and ejection. It is suggested that research be redirected to an exploration of these relationships and predicted that this will lead to both a better understanding of this venerable tool and an improvement in its usefulness to the clinician and patient.     

心钠素基因多态性与原发性高血压患者左心室肥厚的关系

目的 探讨人类心钠素（ANP）基因多态性与原发性高血压患者左心室肥厚的关系.方法 选择原发性高血压患者106例,根据心脏超声检查结果分为单纯高血压组（对照组）75例和高血压合并左心室肥厚组（观察组）31例,采用PCR技术检测人类ANP基因C664G、G1837A和T2238C位点的多态性,比较两组基因型及等位基因分布差异.结果 观察组患者人类ANP基因C664G位点GG基因型频率为54.8％,高于对照组的33.3％（P＜0.05）.两组患者人类ANP基因G1837A位点和T2238C位点基因型和各等位基因频率差异无统计学意义.结论 人类ANP基因C664G位点的基因变异可能与原发性高血压患者左心室肥厚有关.     

Left atrial mechanical responses to right ventricular pacing in heart failure patients: implications for atrial fibrillation

Left Atrial Function During Right Ventricular Pacing. Background: RV pacing (RVP), even with preserved atrioventricular (AV) synchrony, may lead to left atrial (LA) enlargement and atrial fibrillation. However, inciting events are unknown. We hypothesized that RVP acutely impairs LA function by mechanisms affecting atrial contraction and/or ventricular diastole. Methods: LA function in ICD patients (n = 31, LVEF ≤ 40%) and controls (n = 14, LVEF > 50%) was contrasted between intrinsic conduction versus RVP during asynchronous (ICD, n = 17, control, n = 7), and synchronous (ICD, n = 14, control, n = 14) pacing at long (LAVd, 107 ±16 ms) and short (SAVd, 31 ± 5 ms) AV delays. LA maximal volume (LA_Max), minimal volume (LA_Min), and emptying fraction {LA_EmF = (LA_Max–LA_Min)/LA_Max} were measured echocardiographically. Six‐segment mean mitral annular tissue doppler E′ (global E′) assessed diastolic recoil during baseline and LAVd. Results: In the ICD group, LA_Min increased by 42% (P < 0.0009) during VVI, by 31% (P = 0.0002) during SAVd, and by 17% (P < 0.0007) during LAVd. LA_EmF decreased by 44% (P < 0.0008), 27% (P < 0.0001), and by 15% (P = 0.003) during VVI, SAVd, and LAVd respectively. LA_Max was unaltered. Global E′ was reduced by 12%. In control, LA_Min increased and LA_EmF decreased significantly during VVI (82 and 58%) and SAVd (46 and 41%), but not during LAVd. Conclusion: In patients with LV dysfunction, RVP acutely impaired LA emptying, and increased minimal volume, most prominently when atrial contraction was impeded (VVI, DDD‐SAVd) but also when completed (DDD‐LAVd), indicating impaired diastolic recoil as an important mechanism. When LV function was normal, similar changes were present when atrial filling is impeded (VVI, SAVd), but not when completed (LAVd) . (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 22, pp. 866‐874, August 2011)     

Left atrial abnormality as an electrocardiographic criterion for the diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy in the presence of right bundle branch block

Left atrial (LA) abnormality determined from precordial lead V1 was assessed by 2 observers as a criterion of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy in the presence of right bundle branch block (BBB) in 23 patients. The presence of LV hypertrophy was confirmed from a postmortem cardiac partition technique and defined at 2 levels of confidence: probable and definite hypertrophy. Observers reliably differentiated between the hypertrophied and normal-sized ventricle in the presence of right BBB by using LA abnormality as an electrocardiographic criterion. When defined as definite hypertrophy, observer 1 correctly identified LV hypertrophy in 78% of the cases and observer 2 in 67% of the cases. False-positive results were present in 21% of cases by observer 1 and 14% by observer 2. Comparable results were achieved when a definition of probable hypertrophy was used. Observer performance of recognition of LA abnormality in this study was satisfactory with 91% agreement between observers. Our results are comparable and in some instances superior to conventional criteria commonly recommended to diagnose LV hypertrophy on the electrocardiogram without right BBB.     

The impact of demographic,anthropometric and athletic characteristics on left atrial size in athletes

The structural adaptations of the “athlete's heart” include left atrial (LA) enlargement. A literature search was performed based on PubMed listings up to November 2, 2019 using “athletes AND left atrium,” “athletes AND LA,” “sports AND left atrium,” “sports AND LA,” “exercise AND left atrium,” and “exercise AND LA” as the search terms. Eligible studies included those reporting the influence of demographic, anthropometric and athletic characteristics on LA size in athletes. A total of 58 studies were included in this review article. Although LA volume has been reported to be greater in males compared to females when indexed for body surface area (BSA), there was no difference between sexes. The positive association between LA size and age in athletes may reflect the increase in body size with maturation in nonadult athletes and the training age of endurance athletic activity in adult athletes. Caucasian and black athletes have been demonstrated to exhibit similar LA enlargement. The positive association of LA size with lean body mass (LBM) possibly accounts for the relationship of LA size with BSA. LA enlargement has been reported only in endurance-trained, but not in strength-trained athletes. LA size appears to increase with an increase in both the volume and intensity of endurance training. LA size correlates independently with the training age of endurance athletes. The athlete's characteristics that independently determine LA size include LBM, endurance training, and training age.     

右室心尖部起搏与右室流出道起搏对Ⅲ度房室传导阻滞患者疗效的对比研究

目的:比较右室心尖部起搏与右室流出道起搏对Ⅲ度房室传导阻滞患者心室间运动同步性及左室内运动同步性,以及对患者心功能的影响。方法:选取因Ⅲ度及高度房室传导阻滞患者置入双腔起搏器患者共38例。其中心室电极置入右室流出道者20例(RVOT组),置入右室心尖部18例(RVA组),超声心动图术前测量左室舒张末内径(LVEDD),左室收缩末内径(LVESD)、左室射血分数(LVEF)、E/A值、心室间激动延迟时间(IVMD)、室间隔与左心室后壁间收缩延迟时间(SPWMD)。术后1个月、12个月随访。结果:术后1个月,与RVOT组比较,RVA组IVMD、SPWMD明显延长[IVMD(39.83±6.01)∶(31.95±7.86)ms,P=0.02],[SP-WMD(97.83±20.81)∶(84.6±10.89)ms,P=0.023]。术后12个月,与ROVT组比较,RVA组LVEDD明显增大[(49.11±2.39)∶(47.4±1.96)mm,P=0.02],LVESD明显增大[(34.28±3.41)∶(32.5±1.5)mm,P=0.04];LVEF明显降低[(59.56±3.38)∶(62.8±2.14)%,...     

Clinical utility of 12-lead electrocardiogram in evaluating heart disease in patients with muscular dystrophy: Assessment of left ventricular hypertrophy,conduction disease,and cardiomyopathy

Introduction

Heart disease remains a leading cause of mortality in patients with muscular dystrophy (MD), and cardiac assessment by standard imaging modalities is challenging due to the prominence of physical limitations.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study of 169 MD patients and 34 negative control patients, we demonstrate the clinical utility of a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) as an effective modality for the assessment of cardiac status in patients with MD. We assessed the utility of conventional criteria for electrocardiogram-indicated left ventricular hypertrophy (ECG-LVH) as well as ECG morphologies.

Results

Cornell voltage, Cornell voltage-duration, Sokolow–Lyon voltage, and Romhilt-Estes point score criteria demonstrated low sensitivity and minimal positive predictive value for ECG-LVH when compared with cardiac imaging. Patients with LBBB had a high probability of a cardiomyopathy (relative risk [RR], 2.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.14–3.53; p < .001), and patients with QRS fragmentation (fQRS) had a high probability of a cardiomyopathy (RR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.20–2.59; p = .004), requiring cardiac medication and device intervention. We found that an R/S ratio >1 in V1 and V2 is highly specific (specificity, 0.89; negative predictive value [NPV], 0.89 and specificity, 0.82; NPV, 0.89, respectively) for patients with dystrophinopathies compared with other types of MD.

Conclusion

The identification of LBBB and fQRS was linked to cardiomyopathy in patients with MD, while ECG-LVH was of limited utility. Importantly, these findings can be applied to effectively screen a broad cohort of MD patients for structural heart disease and prompt further evaluation and therapeutic intervention.

     

高血压患者心电图SD波在诊断左心室肥厚中的价值

目的测试一种新的心电图诊断标准,提高诊断原发性高血压病合并左心室肥厚的准确性。方法以美国超声心动图学会对左心室质量测量作为标准,选取高血压病(HBP)合并左心室肥厚(LVH)患者129例,同期根据年龄、性别匹配高血压左心室正常组(109名)。同步记录12导联心电图,选取所有心电图导联中最深S波(S_D)为研究对象,与采用目前公认的LVH心电图标准Cornell和Sokolow-Lyon进行比较,计算心电图相关指标判断HBP合并LVH的ROC曲线及其曲线下面积(AUC),获得鉴别的最佳临界值。结果心电图S_D预测HBP合并LVH的敏感度、特异度及AUC分别为86. 05%、81. 65%、0. 892;心电图S_D+Sv4显示最高的敏感度为88. 37%。等效性检验显示单导联S_D的AUC较Cornell、Sokolow-Lyon及S_D+Sv4标准Z值均具有统计学差异(P0. 05)。心电图S_D诊断男性HBP合并LVH的AUC及敏感度、特异度分别为0. 901、90. 29%、75. 34%,等效性检验均优于Cornell、Sokolow-Lyon及S_D+Sv4标准(P 0. 05)。结论心电图S_D诊断HBP合并LVH,提高了其诊断的敏感性,优于Cornell和Sokolow-Lyon标准,值得临床推广。