Can left ventricular hypertrophy on electrocardiography detect severe aortic valve stenosis?

What is it about?

Severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) is increasing in the aging society and is a serious condition. However, approximately one-third of patients with severe AS are asymptomatic. Echocardiography is the most reliable method to detect AS, but it takes time and is costly. An electrocardiogram (ECG) for AS patients often demonstrates a left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) pattern in response to increased afterload, but traditional ECG criteria for LVH cannot necessarily reliably detect anatomical LVH. We found LVH on the ECG in elderly patients, who were ≥74 years old especially with DM, was closely associated with severe AS.

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Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The ECG is a low-cost and widely available noninvasive examination. Our finding can select and detect a patient who has the risk of a symptomatic severe AS and is necessary to undergo further examination, such as cardiac echocardiography.

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