Correlation between left ventricular mass and electrocardiographic variables among hypertensive Nigerians

In a study of 60 newly diagnosed hypertensive patients, left ventricular mass was assessed echocardiographically by 2-D-derived M-mode, using the Penn cube function. Electrocardiographic variables of R1, RaVF, RaVL, RV5, RV6, SV1, SV2, SV1 + RV6, SV2 + RV6 and Estes' point score were determined for each of the patients. These variables were then compared in-turn with the left ventricular mass to determine the degree of correlation. ECG variables correlate very poorly with Echo left ventricular mass with Estes point score showing the highest correlation(0.39) and RaVL the least(-0.01). Since these ECG variables constitute the criteria used in the diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy caution should therefore be applied in the reliance on electrocardiography for the diagnosis of this clinical entity.