Diagnostic utility of specific electrocardiographical parameters in predicting left ventricular function.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Diagnostics
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Electrocardiography (ECG) changes are common in heart failure (HF) patients.
• Observed ECG parameters include sinus tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, bundle branch blocks, Q waves, and left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the diagnostic utility of specific ECG parameters for predicting LV systolic dysfunction (LVSD).
• To correlate ECG findings with LV ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with suspected HF.

Main Methods:

• 123 patients with suspected HF and 20 with NYHA class IV HF were recruited.
• ECG parameters including QRS duration, dispersion, and Goldberger criteria (first, second, and third) were measured.
• Parameters were correlated with LV ejection fraction (LVEF) determined by echocardiography.

Main Results:

• A QRS duration ≥124 ms significantly predicted LVSD (OR 4.1, P=0.001).
• Goldberger's first and third criteria were more frequent in the LVSD group (OR 8.3, P=0.001 and OR 8.9, P<0.001, respectively).
• Logistic regression identified QRS duration ≥124 ms and Goldberger's first and third criteria as independent predictors of LVSD.

Conclusions:

• Bedside ECG parameters, specifically Goldberger criteria and QRS duration, are valuable for predicting LVSD in suspected HF.
• These ECG findings can aid in early risk stratification before advanced diagnostic procedures.