Sensitivity and Specificity of Electrocardiographic ST-T Changes as Markers of Neoplastic Myocardial Infiltration: Echocardiographic Correlation

Abstract

We evaluated the correlations between electrocardiographic ST-T changes (negative T waves, ST segment elevation) and echocardiographic diagnosis of neoplastic infiltration of the myocardium in 95 patients with neoplastic masses in contact with the heart. We compared echocardiographic results to computed tomography, nuclear magnetic resonance, surgery or autopsy data in 49 patients: the concordance was 86 percent. Significant ST-T changes were present in 77.7 percent of the patients with myocardial infiltration at echocardiography. The "false negatives" (normal ECG, nonspecific changes) were mainly related to infiltration limited to the right side of the heart; in some of these cases, the appearance of right bundle branch block was observed. The "false positives" (ST-T changes without echocardiographic signs of infiltration) were observed in the older patients and in those with pericardial effusion or other heart diseases. The ST segment elevation was a more specific sign of myocardial infiltration as compared to negative T waves (86 vs 47 percent). A progression or the disappearance of electrocardiographic and echocardiographic abnormalities was observed during follow-up in 24 cases. Serial electrocardiograms are useful for screening in clinical settings in neoplastic patients; the appearance of ST-T changes or of conduction disturbances should suggest the need for two-dimensional echocardiography in order to define the diagnosis.