The non-invasive recognition of left atrial enlargement: comparison of electro- and echocardiographic measurements. Issue 621 (July 1977)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ikram, H.; Drysdale, P.; Bones, P. J.; Chan, W.
• Is Part Of: Postgraduate medical journal. Volume 53:Issue 621(1977)
• Page Start: 356
• Page End: 359
• Publication Date: 1977-07
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/pgmj.53.621.356
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-5473

Abstract

Abstract : The aim of this study was to compare the ability of electro- and echocardiography to detect enlargement of the left atrium. Seventy-four patients, divided into three groups (eighteen normal, thirty-six valvular disease, twenty hypertension and/or coronary artery disease) were studied. The P wave terminal force in lead V1 (PTF-V1) was measured from a standard 12 lead electrocardiogram, and the internal left atrial dimension (LAD) was measured from time-motion echocardiograms. Linear regression analysis showed a small but significant linear correlation between PTF-V1 and LAD (r = 0-32, P less than 0-01). Both methods would separate patients with diseases known to cause left atrial enlargement from normals, but echocardiography showed greater "specificity" (100% v. 94+) and "sensitivity" (75% v. 67%). It was much superior to the ECG in detecting milder grades of left atrial enlargement and for following serial changes.