Open AccessElectrocardiogram abnormalities predict angiographic coronary artery disease in women with chest pain: Results from the nhlbi wise study
Author(s) -
Holubkov Richard,
Pepine Carl J.,
Rickens Cheryl R.,
Reichek Nathaniel,
Rogers William J.,
Sharaf Barry L.,
Sopko George,
Noel Merz C. Bairey,
Kelsey Sheryl F.,
Olson Marian,
Smith Karen M.,
Reis Steven E.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.4950251204
Subject(s) - medicine , coronary artery disease , cardiology , chest pain , t wave , odds ratio , myocardial infarction , confidence interval , revascularization , electrocardiography , radiology
Abstract Background and hypothesis : Noninvasive risk stratification for coronary artery disease (CAD) is less accurate in women than in men. Based on recent reports that gender‐specific exercise electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters predict CAD, we evaluated the independent predictive value of the resting ECG for angiographic CAD in women with chest pain. Methods : Women (n = 850, mean age 58 years) with chest pain in the NHLBI Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) underwent 12‐lead ECG testing and quantitative coronary angiography. Results : Significant angiographic CAD (≥ 50% stenosis in ≥1 coronary) was present in 39% of women. Q waves in ≥2 contiguous ECG leads were present in 107 women (13%), including 49 of 657 (7%) without history of infarction. Among 585 women without prior infarction or revascularization, 48% of those with Q waves in contiguous leads versus 26% of others, had significant CAD (p = 0.003; odds ratio [OR] = 2.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.3‐4.8). Women with Q waves in ≥2 inferior ECG leads were particularly likely to have CAD (63 vs. 26% of others, p < 0.001; OR = 4.6, 95% CI = 2.0‐10.8). Other ECG findings predictive of CAD were any ST‐T abnormality (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.3‐2.8) and T‐wave inversion (OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.3‐4.2). In risk‐adjusted analysis, inferior Q waves and T‐wave inversion independently predicted significant CAD. When considered together with radionuclide perfusion test results, T‐wave inversion on resting ECG added significant independent predictive value (OR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.1‐7.2, p = 0.03). Conclusions : Selected resting ECG parameters independently predict angiographic CAD in women with chest pain, including women who have also undergone radionuclide stress testing. Prospective studies should consider resting ECG parameters in diagnostic algorithms for CAD in women.