Europace Advance Access published online on October 29, 2009
Europace, doi:10.1093/europace/eup323
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CLINICAL RESEARCH
Prevalence and spectrum of abnormal electrocardiograms in patients with an isolated congenital left ventricular aneurysm or diverticulum
1 Department of Cardiology, Zentralklinik Bad Berka, Robert-Koch-Allee 9, 99437 Bad Berka, Germany; 2 Department of Invasive Electrophysiology, Zentralklinik Bad Berka, Robert-Koch-Allee 9, 99437 Bad Berka, Germany
Aims: Congenital left ventricular aneurysm (LVA) and diverticulum (LVD) are rare cardiac anomalies and can be associated with ECG abnormalities and rhythm disturbances. We sought to investigate the prevalence and the spectrum of ECG abnormalities in such patients.
Methods and results: We assessed 125 patients with isolated LVA or LVD for the prevalence of ECG abnormalities and compared the findings to an age- and gender-matched control group. The 12-lead ECG patterns were evaluated according to commonly used criteria and were classified into three subgroups (distinct, mildly, and minor). Fifty-four of the 125 patients (43.2%) had normal and 71 (56.8%) abnormal ECGs. Mean age was 66 years. Forty-nine (39.2%) were male. Distinct abnormal ECG patterns were more prevalent in patients with LVD (38.2 vs. 15.8%, P = 0.04), and apical location of the anomaly (36.6 vs. 16.6%, P = 0.02). Older age (>66 years) was associated with a trend for a higher prevalence of abnormal ECG pattern (33 vs. 18%, P = 0.06), whereas gender had no influence (32 vs. 16%, P = 0.14). This study also shows that the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of a 12-lead ECG for the diagnosis of LVA or LVD are low.
Conclusion: This large single-centre study suggests that the prevalence of abnormal ECG patterns in patients with isolated LVA or LVD is as high as 56.8%. However, ECG is not specific and sensitive to be used as a screening tool in such patients.
Key Words: Left ventricle, Aneurysm, Diverticulum, Abnormal ECG, Congenital, Prevalence
* Corresponding author. Tel: +49 36458 541216, Fax: +49 36458 53605, Email: m.ohlow.kar{at}zentralklinik-bad-berka.de
Manuscript submitted 16 July 2009. Accepted after revision 23 September 2009.
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  A. P.M. Gorgels No value of the ECG in congenital left ventricular aneurysms and diverticula? Europace, December 1, 2009; 11(12): 1577 - 1578. [Full Text] [PDF]
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