CORRELATION BETWEEN ELECTROCARDIOGRAM AND ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY IN THE ASSESSMENT OF LEFT VENTRICULAR HYPERTROPHY AMONG HYPERTENSION PATIENTS

BACKGROUND In routine clinical practice, the electrocardiogram (ECG) is usually the first method used for diagnosing LVH using various criteria. These ECG criteria generally had shown high specificities and low sensitivity in diagnosing LVH. However, their low sensitivities do not mean that it excludes the presence of LVH. The aim of this study was to assess the validity of ECG by comparing it with echocardiogram in diagnosing LVH among hypertension patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS A prospective longitudinal study was conducted at our hospital for a period of six months among 100 patients with hypertension. The study was started after getting the clearance from the institutional ethical committee. Twelve lead electrocardiography was done with GE electrocardiogram machine. Twelve leads electrocardiography was recorded at the paper speed of 25 mm/second and calibration of 10mm was taken as a standard electrocardiogram. Electrocardiographic criteria used to diagnose left ventricular hypertrophy were Romhilt – Estes Point Score and Sokolow and Lyon Voltage Criteria and total QRS voltage criteria. Later, on all these patients, M-mode echocardiography was performed using Esoate Mylab Five machine. Person performing Echo was blinded to electrocardiographic findings.