A quantitative relationship of electrocardiographic criteria of left ventricular hypertrophy with echocardiographic left ventricular mass: a multivariate approach

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of various electrocardiographic (EKG) criteria of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in relation to echocardiographic left ventricular mass (LVME) and to assess the relative strength of various EKG variables used in the diagnosis of LVH by multivariate analysis. An attempt was also made to determine if a new combination of precordial and T-wave voltage could improve the sensitivity of EKG. In 89 patients, M-mode echocardiograms and standard EKGs were studied. Correlation of Romhilt-Estes point-score system with LVME was r = 0.621, sensitivity and specificity was 57 and 81%, respectively. Other voltage criteria had lower sensitivity. Various combinations of precordial and T-wave voltage were not superior. The quantitative relationship of individual EKG variable, QRS duration, SV1-3, R V4-6, strain T wave, left atrial abnormality, intrinsicoid deflection and axis, with LVM was, r = 0.661,0.595,0.429, 0.42, 0.347, and 0.225, respectively. By multivariate analysis, QRS duration, S V1-3, T-wave and R V4-6 voltage had F-value (relative strength) of 27.95, 27.15, 22.02, and 4.03, respectively, other variables were statistically insignificant. In conclusion, the most important EKG variables predictive of LVH are QRS duration, S V1-3, strain T-wave and lateral voltage in decreasing value. Rescoring these variables in accordance to their correlation to LVM may improve EKG sensitivity for the diagnosis of LVH.