Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 28, 2025

Morphological and Functional Assessment of the Right Ventricle Using 3D Echocardiography
07:11

Morphological and Functional Assessment of the Right Ventricle Using 3D Echocardiography

Published on: October 28, 2020

3.2K

Diagnostic utility of the electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy criteria in specific populations

Fernando De la Garza Salazar1,2, Elías Abraham Rodríguez Díaz1,3, Arnulfo González Cantú4

  • 1Universidad de Monterrey, Mexico.

Acta Cardiologica
|February 12, 2020
PubMed

Insights

The Dalfó electrocardiogram (ECG) criterion is most accurate for detecting left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in Northern Mexican populations. This finding is crucial for improving LVH diagnosis in diverse ethnic groups.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Diagnostics
  • Electrocardiography

Background:

  • Established electrocardiogram (ECG) criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) diagnosis are primarily validated in Caucasian populations.
  • The diagnostic utility of these ECG criteria in non-Caucasian populations, specifically Northern Mexicans, remains unestablished.
  • Despite this, existing ECG criteria are frequently applied in clinical practice for LVH detection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the diagnostic performance of various ECG criteria for identifying LVH in a Northern Mexican cohort.
  • To investigate the influence of demographic and clinical factors (gender, age, BMI, hypertension, IHD) on the accuracy of these ECG criteria.

Main Methods:

  • An observational, case-control study design was employed.
  • Patients were categorized based on echocardiogram (Echo) confirmation of LVH.
  • The diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of 22 distinct ECG criteria were calculated.

Main Results:

  • The Dalfó criterion (SV3 + RaVL) demonstrated the highest overall diagnostic accuracy (64.1%) in the study population.
  • This criterion exhibited superior performance across various subgroups, including both genders, all BMI categories, older adults (>60 years), and patients with positive Echo-ischemic heart disease (IHD).
  • The VDP Cornell criterion showed the best accuracy in younger patients (<60 years) and those with non-ischemic findings on Echo.

Conclusions:

  • The Dalfó criterion emerged as the most accurate ECG method for detecting LVH in the studied Northern Mexican population.
  • Its effectiveness extends to specific demographic and clinical subgroups, highlighting its broad applicability.
  • These findings support the use of the Dalfó criterion for more reliable LVH diagnosis in this population.
Abstract

Keywords:
Left ventricular hypertrophycardiovascular diagnostic techniquescardiovascular diseaseechocardiographyelectrocardiography

More Related Videos

Evaluation of Left Ventricular Structure and Function using 3D Echocardiography06:34

Evaluation of Left Ventricular Structure and Function using 3D Echocardiography

Published on: October 28, 2020

4.5K
Echocardiographic Assessment Using Subxiphoid-Only Examination for Hypotensive Patients08:45

Echocardiographic Assessment Using Subxiphoid-Only Examination for Hypotensive Patients

Published on: April 18, 2025

1.1K

Related Concept Videos

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
304
Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:22

Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Aortic valve regurgitation (AR) occurs when the aortic valve fails to close properly, allowing blood to flow backward from the aorta into the left ventricle. This backflow can result in two distinct clinical presentations: acute and chronic AR, each characterized by its own set of symptoms and physical findings.Acute Aortic RegurgitationAcute AR presents with a sudden onset of severe symptoms. Patients typically experience profound dyspnea (shortness of breath), chest pain, and signs of left...
316
Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests01:23

Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests

Mitral stenosis is a heart condition in which the mitral valve, which allows blood to flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle, becomes narrowed or stenotic. This narrowing hinders blood flow and leads to clinical symptoms requiring specific medical evaluations and management strategies. The following overview outlines the clinical symptoms, assessments, diagnostic findings, prevention methods, and treatments for mitral stenosis.Clinical ManifestationsDyspnea (shortness of breath): This...
158
Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies01:30

Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies

Diagnosing acute coronary syndrome or ACS begins with a thorough patient history. Notable symptoms include central, crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm, neck, jaw, or back, along with shortness of breath, sweating (diaphoresis), nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and palpitations.It is crucial to note any history of cardiac illnesses and assess risk factors, including age, gender, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and a sedentary lifestyle.During physical examination, vital...
154
Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:30

Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Hypertension is asymptomatic and also referred to as the "silent killer" until it progresses to a severe stage or causes target organ disease. Patients may experience symptoms stemming from the strain on blood vessels and tissues in various organs or the heart's increased workload.Physical exams might show no abnormalities other than high blood pressure. Signs of vascular damage, when present, correspond to the organs supplied by the affected vessels, leading to target organ damage. For...
381
Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:22

Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
371