Electrocardiographic Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Research Articles

Factors associated with electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy among patients with hypertension in Thailand

BackgroundLeft ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) strongly predicts cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and death. One-fourth of Thai adults suffer from hypertension. Nevertheless, the information on LVH among Thai patients with hypertension is not well characterized. We aimed to identify the prevalence and factors associated with electrocardiographic LVH (ECG-LVH) among patients with hypertension in Thailand.MethodsThe present study obtained the dataset from the Thailand Diabetes Mellitus/Hypertension study, which included hypertension patients aged 20 years and older receiving continuous care at outpatient clinics in hospitals nationwide in 2011–2015 and 2018. Meanwhile, those without a record of 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) were excluded from the analysis. ECG-LVH was defined as the LVH noted regarding ECG interpretation in the medical records. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was utilized for determining factors associated with ECG-LVH and presented as the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultsFrom 226,420 hypertensive patients in the Thailand Diabetes Mellitus/Hypertension study, 38,807 individuals (17.1%) with ECG data recorded were included in the analysis. The mean age was 64.8 ± 11.5 years, and 62.2% were women. Overall, 1,557 study participants had ECG-LVH, with an estimated prevalence of 4.0% (95% CI, 3.8–4.2%). Age-adjusted ECG-LVH prevalence among women and men was 3.4 and 5.1%, respectively (P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis determined factors associated with ECG-LVH, including being men (AOR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.31–1.69), individuals aged 70 to 79 years (AOR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.20–2.02) and ≥ 80 years (AOR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.58–2.78) compared to individuals aged less than 50 years, current smokers (AOR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.09–1.46) compared to those who never smoked, systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg (AOR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.30–1.92) compared to systolic blood pressure < 140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg.ConclusionsThe current study illustrated the prevalence of ECG-LVH among Thai patients with hypertension who had ECG recorded and identified high-risk groups who tended to have ECG-LVH. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions, particularly among high-risk groups such as older individuals, men, and current smokers, to address modifiable factors associated with ECG-LVH.

Prevalence, Performance and Predictors of Electrocardiographic Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Male Black Athletes: A Retrospective Study

Introduction QRS voltages for electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (ECG-LVH) are more prominent in Black athletes than non-Black athletes. The underlying physiological relationships of ECG-LVH in BA remain enigmatic despite their greater predisposition to arterial hypertension. Objectives To determine the frequency of eight eponymous ECG-LVH criteria in male collegiate athletes in Nigeria; To determine the diagnostic performance of the most prevalent criteria; To determine the predictors of ECG-LVH. Methods 34 (thirty-four) athletes and 49 (forty-nine) non-athletic controls with normal electrocardiograms and echocardiograms were retrospectively recruited from an existing pre-participation screening cohort. They were all normotensive, non-obese and normoglycemic, and matched for age and body mass index (BMI). Results The four most frequent criteria were Sokolow-Lyon index (67.6% vs. 36.7%; χ2 = 7.7; p = .006), Romhilt’s criterion (52.9% vs. 8.2%; χ2 = 20.6; p &lt; .001), Peguero-Lo Presti criterion (38.2% vs. 22.4%; χ2 = 2.43; p &lt; .144), and Mazzoleni’s criterion (35.3% vs. 4.1%; χ2 = 13.95; p &lt; .001). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of these criteria ranged between 23.8%–57.1%, 38.5%–53.9%, and 32.4%–50.0%, respectively. Athletic activity (OR = 4.49; 95% confidence interval, CI = 1.63–12.36; p = .004) and lower BMI (OR = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.63–0.97; p = .026) were independent predictors of ECG-LVH by the Sokolow-Lyon criterion. Conclusions Voltage ECG-LVH criteria all poorly predict the presence of echocardiographic LVH in young male Black athletes. However, the Sokolow-Lyon criterion seems to be associated with a benign cardio-metabolic profile in such athletes and appears hypothetically superior to other voltage criteria for identifying physiological cardiac remodeling in them. This hypothesis should be tested in future studies.

Association of baseline electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy with future renal function decline in the general population

Electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) could predict adverse renal outcomes in patients with hypertension. This study aimed to investigate the association between electrocardiographic LVH and future decline in renal function in the general population using a dataset of population-based health checkups from 2010 to 2019 including 19,825 participants. Electrocardiographic LVH was defined according to the Minnesota code. Renal function decline was defined as a decrease of ≥ 25% in the estimated glomerular filtration rate from baseline to < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Electrocardiographic LVH was found in 1263 participants at the baseline visit. The mean follow-up period was 3.4 ± 1.9 years. The incidence rates of renal function decline were 0.30 and 0.78 per 100 person-years in the non-LVH group and LVH groups, respectively. Electrocardiographic LVH was associated with the risk for renal function decline in the adjusted analysis (hazard ratio 1.69, 95% confidence interval 1.14–2.50, P = 0.009). This association was comparable across subgroups stratified by age, sex, body mass index, diagnosed hypertension, systolic blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c, and urinary protein. This study underscores the usefulness of electrocardiographic LVH to detect high-risk individuals for renal function decline in the setting of health checkups in the general population.

Associations of lipid accumulation product, visceral adiposity index, and triglyceride-glucose index with subclinical organ damage in healthy Chinese adults.

Obesity is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease development. Here, we aimed to examine and compare the predictive values of three novel obesity indices, lipid accumulation product (LAP), visceral adiposity index (VAI), and triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, for cardiovascular subclinical organ damage. A total of 1,773 healthy individuals from the Hanzhong Adolescent Hypertension Study cohort were enrolled. Anthropometric, biochemical, urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR), brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), and Cornell voltage-duration product data were collected. Furthermore, the potential risk factors for subclinical organ damage were investigated, with particular emphasis on examining the predictive value of the LAP, VAI, and TyG index for detecting subclinical organ damage. LAP, VAI, and TyG index exhibited a significant positive association with baPWV and uACR. However, only LAP and VAI were found to have a positive correlation with Cornell product. While the three indices did not show an association with electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy, higher values of LAP and TyG index were significantly associated with an increased risk of arterial stiffness and albuminuria. Furthermore, after dividing the population into quartiles, the fourth quartiles of LAP and TyG index showed a significant association with arterial stiffness and albuminuria when compared with the first quartiles, in both unadjusted and fully adjusted models. Additionally, the concordance index (C-index) values for LAP, VAI, and TyG index were reasonably high for arterial stiffness (0.856, 0.856, and 0.857, respectively) and albuminuria (0.739, 0.737, and 0.746, respectively). Lastly, the analyses of continuous net reclassification improvement (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) demonstrated that the TyG index exhibited significantly higher predictive values for arterial stiffness and albuminuria compared with LAP and VAI. LAP, VAI, and, especially, TyG index demonstrated utility in screening cardiovascular subclinical organ damage among Chinese adults in this community-based sample. These indices have the potential to function as markers for early detection of cardiovascular disease in otherwise healthy individuals.

Prognostic Value of Electrocardiographic Left Ventricular Hypertrophy After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Insights from the OCEAN-TAVI Registry

Electrocardiogram (ECG) left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is associated with the prognosis of patients with aortic stenosis. However, the impact of the presence or absence of ECG-LVH on the clinical outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is limited. This study aimed to assess the prognostic value of ECG-LVH among patients with aortic stenosis treated by TAVI. A total of 1,667 patients who underwent TAVI were prospectively enrolled into the OCEAN-TAVI (Optimized CathEter vAlvular iNtervention-Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation) registry. A total of 1,446 patients (mean age 84years; 29.9% men) were analyzed. The Sokolow-Lyon index was used to determine the presence of ECG-LVH. LVH was also assessed using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). We investigated the association between ECG-LVH and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. This study identified ECG-LVH and TTE-LVH in 743 (51.5%) and 1,242 patients (86.0%), respectively. The Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that all-cause mortality was significantly higher among patients without ECG-LVH than among those with ECG-LVH (log-rank p <0.001). In the multivariable analysis, the absence of ECG-LVH was independently associated with all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 1.98, 95% confidence interval 1.39 to 2.82, p <0.001), regardless of the presence or absence of TTE-LVH. Furthermore, the presence of TTE-LVH with the absence of ECG-LVH was observed in 575 patients (40%), which was associated with cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratio 2.84, 95% confidence interval 1.56 to 5.17, p <0.001). In conclusion, the absence of ECG-LVH was independently associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality after TAVI. Risk stratification using both ECG-LVH and TTE-LVH is a useful predictor of adverse clinical outcomes after TAVI.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC LEFT VENTRICULAR HYPERTROPHY AS A POTENTIAL INDICATOR OF MASKED HYPERTENSION AMONG THE KOREAN ELDERLY

Objective: Although masked hypertension links to adverse cardiovascular outcomes, it is challenging to distinguish individuals with masked hypertension. Studies have demonstrated a significant association between left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and masked hypertension. However, it remains unclear whether electrocardiographic LVH has the predictability for masked hypertension. Design and method: The study participants were 511 Korean elderly with well-controlled blood pressure (BP) or normotension who underwent electrocardiography and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). We categorized them into two groups by presence or absence of electrocardiographic LVH. We conducted Pearson correlation analysis (beta coefficient [95% confidence interval] and logistic regression analysis (odd ratio (OR) [95% CI]) to evaluate the association of electrocardiographic LVH with components of ABPM. The area under the receiver operator curve (AUC) was calculated to assess the predictability of electrocardiographic LVH for 24-hour average masked hypertension. Results: Electrocardiographic LVH significantly correlated with 24-hour mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) (5.83 [2.16-9.51]), daytime SBP (5.0 [1.27-8.72]), and nighttime SBP (7.89 [3.49-12.30]). Electrocardiographic LVH showed the increased OR for masked hypertension in 24-hour average BP (2.18 [1.17-4.07]), in daytime average BP (2.03 [1.09-3.79]), and nighttime average BP (1.83 [0.86-3.88]). The receiver operating curve indicated the significant predictability of electrocardiographic LVH for 24-hour average masked hypertension (area under the curve: 0.706 [0.604-0.809]). Conclusions: Electrocardiographic LVH is potentially effective in distinguishing individuals with masked hypertension.

The hemodynamic aspects of parameters in arterial hypertension in children with overweight and history of cardiovascular diseases

Arterial hypertension, in the context of excess weight, represents an important health problem, and research in the field proves the importance of aggravated family history for the occurrence, evolution and severity of arterial hypertension, as well as suggests that hypertension increases the prevalence of cardiac structural changes. The purpose of the study: evaluation of hemodynamic parameters, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic changes in hypertensive children with excess weight and a family history aggravated by cardiovascular diseases. Material and methods: the study included 75 hypertensive patients, with an average age of 14.7 years, overweight and obese, being divided into two research groups according to the presence of family history (FH) aggravated by cardiovascular diseases: group I-35 hypertensive children, overweight, obese, without aggravated family history; group II-40 hypertensive, overweight and obese children with a family history aggravated by cardiovascular pathology in first-generation relatives up to 45 years old. To assess hemodynamic parameters, all children were examined using ECG, EcoCG and AMBP/24 hours. Results. Through the electrocardiographic method, with statistical significance, signs of hyperfunction of the LV myocardium were determined in 21 (52,5%) patients from the AH, overweight, obese, FH+ and only in 9 (25,7%) from the AH, overweight, obese FH- (p&lt;0.05). Hypertrophy of the LV myocardium was found in 5 (12,5%) cases from the group of children with hypertension, overweight, obese, FH+ and in 4 (11,4%) cases from those with hypertension, overweight, obese FH- (p&gt;0,05). The echocardiographic parameters did not show statistically significant differences, however the values of TSD (30.029±0,973 mm), TDD (47.600± 0,803 mm), IVS (9.629±0.232 mm), PWLV (10.390± 0.800 mm) were increased in the group. of hypertensive, overweight, obese, FH+ children compared to the group of hypertensive, overweight, obese FH- children, and the protocol parameters at AMBP/24 hours were also higher in hypertensive, overweight, obese, FH+ children (p&gt;0,05). Conclusions: arterial hypertension and obesity play an important role in establishing the morphofunctional changes of the heart, and the family history aggravated by cardiovascular diseases is a predictive factor in the evolution of LVH. Electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy was revealed in 12.5% of cases from the group of children with hypertension, overweight, obese, FH+ and 11.4% of cases from those with hypertension, overweight, obese FH- (p&gt;0.05), and echocardiographic parameters of the compartment left heart were more increased in children with aggravated family history.

Electrocardiographic and echocardiographic predictors of greater carotid intima-media thickness in tactical athletes: The CHIEF atherosclerosis study.

Both electrocardiographic and echocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) have been reported with an association with greater carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with hypertension, while the associations are unclear in physically fit young adults. A total of 1822 Taiwanese military personnel, aged 18-40 years, received an annual health examination including electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography in 2018-2020. Left carotid bulb cIMT was measured by high-resolution ultrasonography. Multiple logistic regression analysis with adjustments for age, sex, smoking, alcohol consumption, body mass index, mean blood pressure, and physical fitness was used to determine the associations between echocardiographic and ECG parameters and the highest quintile of cIMT (≥0.8 mm). Cornell-based LVH, Myers et al.-based RVH and heart rate ≥75/min were associated with cIMT ≥0.8 mm [odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals: 1.54 (1.01, 2.35), 1.66 (1.18, 2.33), and 1.39 (1.06, 1.83), respectively], while echocardiographic LVH defined as ≥46.0g/m2.7 for men and ≥38.0g/m2.7 for women was inversely associated with cIMT ≥0.8 mm [OR: 0.45 (0.24, 0.86)]. In tactical athletes of military, the associations of ECG and echocardiographic LVH with cIMT were in opposite directions. Higher physical fitness may cause cardiac muscle hypertrophy and reduce the atherosclerosis severity, possibly leading to the paradoxical echocardiographic finding. This study suggests that ECG-based LVH remains a good marker of subclinical atherosclerosis in our military population.

PS-C27-7: ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC LEFT VENTRICULAR HYPERTROPHY CAN PREDICT FUTURE DECLINE OF RENAL FUNCTION IN GENERAL POPULATION

Objective: Electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) has been shown to be associated with future renal function decline in patients with chronic kidney disease. However, this association remains unclear in general population. We aimed to elucidate the association between baseline LVH on electrocardiogram and future renal function decline using health checkup data. Design and method: We used a dataset derived from the annual health-screening program from 2010 to 2019. Patients with baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) &lt; 60 ml/min/1.73m2 were excluded. LVH was determined by the electrocardiographic voltage criteria at baseline. Association between LVH and renal function outcomes, specifically ≧ 30% decline in eGFR from baseline, eGFR decline less than 60 ml/min/1.73m2 and 45 ml/min/1.73m2, were analyzed using multivariate Cox proportional hazard models. Results: Among total of 19,825 participants, 1,263 had LVH and 18,562 no LVH. LVH group was older and more male and current smokers, and to complicated with more hypertension, and higher systolic (136.7 ± 20.9 vs 123.7 ± 19.1 mmHg, P &lt; 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (81.8 ± 12.6 vs 74.6 ± 12.0 mmHg, P &lt; 0.001). Baseline eGFR and HbA1c were comparable between the groups. Incidence of ≧ 30% eGFR decline was significantly higher in LVH group (P &lt; 0.001, log-rank test). LVH was associated with ≧ 30% eGFR decline (HR 1.92, 95% CI 1.26–2.91, P = 0.002) and eGFR &lt; 45 ml/min/1.73m2 (HR 3.12, 95% CI 1.54–6.35, P = 0.002) after adjustment. LVH was not associated with eGFR &lt; 60 ml/min/1.73m2 in the overall population. However, when analyzed this association in subpopulation stratified by baseline SBP (&lt; 140 and ≧ 140 mmHg), LVH was associated with eGFR &lt; 60 ml/min/1.73m2 in persons with SBP ≧ 140 mmHg (HR 1.40, 95% CI 1.10–1.79, P = 0.007) but not in those with SBP &lt; 140 mmHg (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.68–1.14, P = 0.32) (P for interaction between LVH and baseline SBP = 0.005). Similarly, LVH was significantly associated with ≧ 30% eGFR decline and eGFR &lt; 45 ml/min/1.73m2 in persons with SBP ≧ 140 mmHg but not in those with SBP &lt; 140 mmHg, although the interaction between LVH and baseline SBP was not significant in these renal outcomes. Conclusion: Electrocardiographic LVH was independently associated with the rate of renal function decline among general population. The association between LVH and future renal function decline might be stronger in people with SBP ≧140 mmHg.

S-10-3: CAN ACHIEVED AVERAGE SYSTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE BELOW 130 MMHG CAUSE HARM IN ELDERLY HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS WITH LEFT VENTRICULAR HYPERTROPHY?

Objectives: We previously reported increased mortality in hypertensive patients &gt; 55 yrs. (average 67 yrs., n = 9,193) with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) who achieved in-treatment systolic blood pressure (SBP) &lt; 130 mmHg during an average of 5 yrs. of treatment. Possibly hypertrophic myocardium with degenerated microcirculation becomes ischemic causing fatal complications. The present study aimed to investigate similar elderly patients with LVH in a parallel outcome trial and test the hypothesis that achieved average SBP &lt; 130 mmHg may cause harm in the elderly. Design and Methods: Of 15,245 participating hypertensive patients we identified a population without cardiovascular events during the first 18 months (n = 13,808) after enrollment with discontinuation of previous antihypertensive medications and subsequent up-titration of randomized study drugs and stabilization of SBP. Of these 2,458 patients had electrocardiographic LVH with or without strain. Patients who achieved average SBP &gt; = 140 mmHg during the coming 30 months of follow-up (main population n = 5,505, LVH n = 1,200) served as reference groups. Cox-analyses adjusted for age, gender, and a number of baseline variables were used to compare the primary cardiac composite endpoint including fatal events, stroke and congestive heart failure for patients who achieved average SBP 130–139 mmHg (main population n = 5,833, LVH n = 939) and patients who achieved average SBP &lt; 130 mmHg (main population n = 2,465, LVH n = 319). Results: The TABLE shows hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for groups with achieved average SBP 130–139 mmHg and &lt; 130 mmHg for the primary cardiac endpoint, stroke and heart failure in the main population and in LVH patients. For the main population achieved average SBP &lt; 130 mmHg prevented primary cardiac events and stroke but not heart failure. For the LVH patients achieved average SBP &lt; 140 mmHg prevented the primary event but &lt; 130 mmHg did not. However, the risks for stroke and heart failure were not significantly reduced with SBP &lt; 140 mmHg in the LVH patients and the risk of heart failure was non-significantly increased &lt; 130 mmHg. Conclusions: Achieved average SBP &lt; 130 mmHg prevents the primary cardiac endpoint and stroke but not heart failure in elderly hypertensive patients. The risk of primary cardiac events was not significantly reduced &lt; 130 mmHg in the LVH patients, and the risks for stroke and heart failure were not significantly reduced &lt; 140 mmHg. On the contrary, &lt; 130 mmHg the risk for heart failure was increased though not significantly. Target SBP thus remains highly uncertain in elderly LVH patients and needs further investigation.

Association of the magnitude of the difference in blood pressure between office and ambulatory measurements with blood pressure variability in untreated individuals

ObjectivesWe evaluated the association between cardiovascular risk factors and the magnitude of the difference in systolic blood pressure (SBP) between office and ambulatory measurements (masked effect) in untreated individuals without apparent hypertension-mediated organ damage (HMOD).MethodsThe inclusion criteria were 1) age ≥ 20 years, 2) blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mmHg at the outpatient clinic, and 3) not receiving antihypertensive medications. The difference between office and ambulatory SBP was calculated by subtracting the ambulatory daytime SBP from the office SBP. The association between the masked effect and SBP variability was analyzed in individuals without HMOD (no electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy, spot urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio < 30 mg/g, and estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, n = 296).ResultsAmong the cardiovascular risk factors, ambulatory BP variability was significantly correlated with the SBP difference. The standard deviation (SD) and coefficient of variation (cv) of 24-h SBP exhibited a significant negative linear association with the SBP difference in univariate and multivariate analyses adjusted for age, sex, presence of diabetes, and 24-h ambulatory SBP. A significant association was observed in patients with ambulatory daytime hypertension. In the multivariate analysis, individuals with a negative SBP difference > -5 mmHg exhibited a higher SD and cv of 24-h SBP than those with a negative SBP difference ≤ -5 mmHg or a positive SBP difference.ConclusionsThe results of our study suggest that the magnitude of the negative difference in office and ambulatory SBP may be a potential risk factor, even in individuals without apparent HMOD.Trial registrationThis trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03855605).

Abstract 9752: Racial Differences in Prevalence and Impact of Subclinical Myocardial Injury Risk Factors

Introduction: Racial differences in the prevalence and prognostic significance of electrocardiographic (ECG) subclinical myocardial injury (SCMI) have been reported. We examined whether these differences are explained by differences in the prevalence of SCMI risk factors or due to a differential impact of the same risk factors Methods: This analysis included 5,852 participants (58.5±13.1 years, 53.9% women, 52.5% white) from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. SCMI was defined as the presence of a Cardiac infarction/injury score ≥ 10 points on the ECG. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between potential SCMI risk factors with SCMI, overall and stratified by race. To examine if racial differences existed between risk factors and SCMI, multiplicative interaction terms between each risk factor and race were tested. Results: SCMI was more common in whites (23.3%) followed by black (21.8%), then Mexican Americans (18%); p-value &lt;0.01. Heterogeneity in the distribution of risk factors was observed. Whites were more likely to be older with a higher prevalence of dyslipidemia compared to other races. On the other hand, Blacks had a higher prevalence of hypertension compared to others, but a similar prevalence of obesity as Mexican Americans. Also, Mexican Americans were more likely to have lower income with a higher prevalence of diabetes and no regular exercise, than other races. Significant risk factors for SCMI were age, male sex, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and no regular exercise. ECG left ventricular hypertrophy was associated with lower odds of SCMI. The associations of diabetes and no regular exercise with SCMI differed by race (Table). Conclusions: Racial differences in the prevalence of risk factors do not explain racial differences in SCMI. Among risk factors, diabetes and lack of physical exercise partially explain the higher prevalence of SCMI in Whites.

Sex differences in prevalence of electrocardiographic and echocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy among patients with coronary artery disease

Abstract Background Both electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (ECG-LVH) and echocardiographic LVH (echo-LVH) are associated with higher risk of cardiovascular and sudden cardiac death. ECG-LVH seems to be partly distinct from echo-LVH as many subjects with echo-LVH do not have ECG-LVH and vice versa. The difference between sexes have not been studied earlier. Purpose The aim of this study was to determine sex differences in prevalence of ECG-LVH and echo-LVH among patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and to study if ECG-LVH would have higher accuracy for echo-LVH in either of sexes. Methods Standard 12-lead electrocardiograms and echocardiographic measurements were studied from 1,894 subjects of ARTEMIS Study (31.8% women). Echo-LVH was determined as estimated left ventricular (LV) mass ≥201 g in men and ≥151 g in women and was categorized as mildly, moderately and severely abnormal. ECG-LVH was determined if either criteria of Sokolow-Lyon or Cornell were met. Results Echo-LVH was found from 1,162 of the study subjects (women 34.3%, p=0.004) and ECG-LVH only from 222 of the subjects (women 55.9%, p&amp;lt;0.001). Of those with ECG-LVH, 82.0% had increased LV mass (p&amp;lt;0.001), and ECG-LVH seemed to correlate slightly better to echo-LVH in women than in men (82.3% vs. 81.6%, p&amp;lt;0.001). Of those with ECG-LVH, 47.7% had severe echo-LVH (p&amp;lt;0.001). The prevalence of ECG-LVH was the higher the greater the LV mass was. Among men with ECG-LVH, 46.9% had severe echo-LVH (p&amp;lt;0.001). Among women with ECG-LVH, 16.1% had mild echo-LVH (p=0.029) and 48.4% severe echo-LVH (p&amp;lt;0.001). In addition, 18% of those with ECG-LVH did not have echo-LVH (p&amp;lt;0.001). This proportion was slightly smaller in women than in men (17.7% vs. 18.4%, p&amp;lt;0.001). Only 15.7% of the subjects with echo-LVH had ECG-LVH (p&amp;lt;0.001). This proportion was significantly higher in women than in men (25.6% vs. 10.5%, p&amp;lt;0.001). ECG-LVH was more common finding in subjects with severe echo-LVH as 20.9% of those CAD patients had ECG-LVH (p&amp;lt;0.001). Among women with severe echo-LVH, ECG-LVH was found in 35.3% (p&amp;lt;0.001) whereas only in 13.7% of men with severe echo-LVH (p&amp;lt;0.001). The prevalence of ECG-LVH seemed to be considerably higher among female CAD patients with T2DM and without prior MI as ECG-LVH was seen in 33.0% of those subjects with at least midl echo-LVH (p&amp;lt;0.001) and 43.8% of those subjects with severe echo-LVH (p&amp;lt;0.001). In male patients from similar subgroup and some degree of echo-LVH, ECG-LVH was seen in 6.7% (p=0.042) and with severe echo-LVH in 12.2% (p&amp;lt;0.001) of the subjects. Conclusions In patients with CAD echo-LVH was often seen without signs of ECG-LVH, especially in men. Majority of the CAD patients with ECG-LVH had also echo-LVH and the prevalence on ECG-LVH was the higher the greater the LV mass was. ECG-LVH seemed to correlate better to anatomic LVH in women with CAD than in men, and the sex difference was highlighted in CAD patients with T2DM and no prior MI. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Clinical Data, Chest Radiograph and Electrocardiography in the Screening for Left Ventricular Hypertrophy: The CAR2E2 Score.

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is associated with adverse clinical outcomes and implicates clinical decision-making. The aim of our study was to assess the importance of different approaches in the screening for LVH. We included patients who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging and had available chest radiograph in medical documentation. Cardiothoracic ratio (CTR), transverse cardiac diameter (TCD), clinical and selected electrocardiographic (ECG)-LVH data, including the Peguero-Lo Presti criterion, were assessed. CMR–LVH was defined based on indexed left ventricular mass-to-body surface area. Receiver operating characteristics analyses showed that both the CTR and TCD (CTR: area under the curve: [AUC] = 0.857, p < 0.001; TCD: AUC = 0.788, p = 0.001) were predictors for CMR–LVH. However, analyses have shown that diagnoses made with TCD, but not CTR, were consistent with CMR–LVH. From the analyzed ECG–LVH criteria, the Peguero-Lo Presti criterion was the best predictor of LVH. The best sensitivity for screening for LVH was observed when the presence of heart failure, ≥40 years in age (each is assigned 1 point), increased TCD and positive Peguero-Lo Presti criterion (each is assigned 2 points) were combined (CAR2E2 score ≥ 3 points). CAR2E2 score may improve prediction of LVH compared to other approaches. Therefore, it may be useful in the screening for LVH in everyday clinical practice in patients with prevalent cardiovascular diseases.

TIME-VARYING SERUM URIC ACID PREDICTS NEW-ONSET ATRIAL FIBRILLATION IN TREATED HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS

Objective: The Losartan Intervention For Endpoint reduction in hypertension (LIFE) study was the first clinical outcome trial to suggest that lowering of serum uric acid by a uricosuric drug such as losartan has a beneficial effect on cardiovascular outcome independently of changes in renal function or blood pressure. LIFE also showed less new-onset atrial fibrillation in hypertensive patients receiving losartan vs. atenolol based treatment. Because losartan reduces serum uric acid levels, we investigated relations of serum uric acid with new-onset atrial fibrillation in the study. Design and method: Hypertensive patients with electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy and no prior atrial fibrillation (n = 8243) were treated for 5.0 ± 0.4 years with losartan or atenolol based therapy. Associations of serum uric acid with new-onset atrial fibrillation documented by Minnesota coding were assessed by Cox models using serum uric acid and systolic blood pressure as time-varying covariates to take into account changes of serum uric acid related to losartan or diuretic treatment, changes in renal function, and aging. Results: Time-varying serum uric acid was associated with new atrial fibrillation defined by Minnesota code (HR = 1.19 per 16.8 umol/L [1 mg/dL] [95% CIs, 1.12–1.26], P &lt; 0.0001), independent of losartan treatment (HR = 0.75 [95% CIs, 0.61–0.93], P = 0.007), older age (HR = 1.95 per 7.0 years [95% CIs, 1.73–2.20], P &lt; 0.0001), male sex (HR = 1.46 [95% CIs, 1.09–1.94], P = 0.010) and higher Cornell voltage duration product (HR = 1.10 per 1023 msec x mm [95% CIs, 1.01–1.21], P = 0.034). Similar results were obtained in Cox models with serum uric acid levels partitioned according to baseline quartiles and in which atrial fibrillation was defined by physician reports or by both Minnesota coding and physician reports. Conclusions: Thus, we found a strong relationship between time-varying serum uric acid levels during antihypertensive treatment and new-onset atrial fibrillation in elderly patients with left ventricular hypertrophy. Our data suggest that in-treatment serum uric acid is a strong predictor for new onset atrial fibrillation in hypertensive patients, independent of effects of antihypertensive treatment, age, sex, and electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy. Further research is needed to clarify how serum uric acid may provoke atrial fibrillation.

“Correlation between Electrocardiographic Left Ventricular Hypertrophy &amp; Adverse Outcome Following Acute Myocardial Infarction in Hypertensive Patient”

Introduction: Myocardial infarction is one of the most serious pathological condition in which the heart is irritated, inflamed and influenced by multiple factors to cause high mortality and morbidity in the developed and underdeveloped countries. Objectives: To see correlation between Electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy and adverse outcome following acute myocardial infarction in hypertensive patient. Materials and Methods: A Cross sectional analytical study was carried out at the Department of cardiology, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh Bangladesh from March - 2014 to February- 2015. Patients admitted into cardiology department with Acute Myocardial Infarction with hypertension who fulfill the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study. Due to time and cost limitation, 65 cases were selected. Results: A total number of sixty five patients were studied of which 56(86.15%) were male and nine (13.84%) were female. The age range was 40 to 70 years. Mean age of male was 52.9±8.4 and female was 56.5±7.5. The patients were divided into two groups on the basis of presence of absence of electrocardiograph left ventricular hypertrophy. All patients had myocardial infarction with evidence of hypertension at admission or known case of hypertension. Group A consisted of 38 patients (58.45%) with ECG-LVH and group B with no ECG_LVH consisted of 27 patients (41.55%). The mean age of group A was 54.25 ±8.9 and group B was 52.55 ± 8.15. Majority patients (34) belonged to 40-50 years age group (52.30%). Twenty one patients belonged to 51-60 years group (32.30%). Ten patients belonged to 61-70 years age group (15.4%), male: female ratio was 6.2: 1. Out of total 68 patients, 43 patients (64.42%) had hypertension on admission and 24 cases (35.38%) had normal blood pressure on admission. Of the 38 patients of group A, 24 had anterior myocardial infarction (63.15%) and 14 had inferior myocardial infarction (36.84%) and 7 had both anterior and inferior myocardial infarction (10.76%). The statistical analysis was highly significant in between group A &amp; group B. The incidence of QMI was highly significant (P= &lt;0.01) between Group A &amp; Group B. QMI was for more common in group A, the incidence was higher in presence of ECG –LVH. In group A hospital stay (days) was 6.74±1.53 days, and 14% had mortality. On the other hand, in group B, it was found that hospital stay (days) was 5.28±1.06 days, and 2% had mortality. 30 patients (81.89%) developed arrhythmia and 8 cases (21.05%) did not developed arrhythmia in group A. In Group B 16(51.85%) developed arrhythmia and 13 cases (48.14%) didn’t develop arrhythmia. Statistically, relation between Group A &amp; Group B was significant (p &lt;0.05). Statistical relationship between group A &amp; group B was significant and this signifies the higher possibilities of occurrence of mortality in ECG-LVH due to hypertension with acute myocardial infarction than without ECG. Conclusion: The study concluded that ECG-LVH changes following acute myocardial infarction in patients with hypertension had more adverse in-hospital outcomes.

Development of systolic dysfunction unrelated to myocardial infarction in treated hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy. The LIFE Study

Aim: While it is commonly thought that left ventricular (LV) systolic function may insidiously deteriorate in hypertensive patients, few prospective data are available to support this notion. Methods: We evaluated 680 hypertensive patients (66 ± 7 years; 45% women) with electrocardiographic (ECG)-LV hypertrophy (ECG-LVH) enrolled in the Losartan Intervention For Endpoint reduction in hypertension (LIFE) echo-sub-study free of prevalent cardiovascular disease and with baseline ejection fraction (EF) ≥ 55%. Echocardiographic examinations were performed annually for 5 years during anti-hypertensive treatment. Development of reduced systolic function was defined as incident EF &lt; 50%. Results: During a mean follow-up of 4.8 ± 1 years, 37 patients developed reduced EF without an inter-current myocardial infarction (5.4%). In analysis of covariance, patients who developed reduced EF were more often men, had greater baseline LV diameter and LV mass, lower mean EF (all P &lt; 0.05), and similar diastolic function indices. At the last available examination before EF reduction, independently of covariates, patients with reduced EF showed a significant increase in left atrium (LA) size, LV diameter, end-systolic stress and mitral E/A ratio, as compared to those who did not develop reduced EF (all P &lt; 0.05). In time-varying Cox regression analysis, also controlling for baseline EF, predictors of developing reduced EF were higher in-treatment LV diameter [hazard ratio (HR) = 5.19 per cm; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.58–10.41] and higher in-treatment mitral E/A ratio (HR = 2.37 per unit; 95% CI: 1.58–3.56; both P &lt; 0.0001). Conclusions: In treated hypertensive patients with ECG-LVH at baseline, incident reduced EF is associated with the development of dilated LV chamber and signs of increased LV filling pressure (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00338260).

Time-varying serum uric acid predicts new-onset atrial fibrillation in treated hypertensive patients. The LIFE Study

Aim: The Losartan Intervention For Endpoint reduction in hypertension (LIFE) Study showed less new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in hypertensive patients receiving losartan- vs. atenolol-based treatment. Because losartan reduces serum uric acid (SUA) levels, the aim of the present study was to investigate relations of SUA with new-onset AF in the study. Methods: Hypertensive patients with electrocardiographic (ECG) left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and no prior AF (n = 8,243) were treated for 5.0 ± 0.4 years with losartan- or atenolol-based therapy. Associations of SUA with new-onset AF documented by Minnesota coding were assessed by Cox models using SUA and systolic blood pressure as time-varying covariates to take into account changes of SUA related to losartan or diuretic treatment, changes in renal function, and aging. Results: Time-varying SUA was associated with new AF defined by Minnesota code [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.19 per 16.8 μmol/L (1 mg/dL), (95% confidence intervals (CIs), 1.12–1.26), P &lt; 0.0001], independent of losartan treatment [HR = 0.75 (95% CIs, 0.61–0.93), P = 0.007], older age [HR = 1.95 per 7.0 years (95% CIs, 1.73–2.20), P &lt; 0.0001], male sex [HR = 1.46 (95% CIs, 1.09–1.94), P = 0.010] and higher Cornell voltage-duration product [HR = 1.10 per 1,023 ms·mm (95% CIs, 1.01–1.21), P = 0.034]. Similar results were obtained in Cox models with SUA levels partitioned according to baseline quartiles and in which AF was defined by physician reports or by both Minnesota coding and physician reports. Conclusions: In-treatment SUA is a strong predictor for new-onset AF in hypertensive patients, independent of effects of antihypertensive treatment, age, sex, and ECG-LVH. Further research is needed to clarify how uric acid may provoke AF (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00338260).

Chronic Kidney Disease and Its Clinical Correlates in a Rural Community in Southwestern Nigeria.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a burgeoning problem globally, and more than a billion adults were affected as of 2016, with 1.2 million people dying from renal failure in 2017. To arrest the seemingly relentless progression of CKD to renal failure, there is a need to detect CKD early in the community. A community-based study was carried out to look at the prevalence and risk factors of CKD. Anthropometric and other clinical variables were measured. Blood samples were taken for determining creatinine, uric acid, urea, and lipids. CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate of ≤60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Electrocardiograms and renal ultrasound scans were performed. In total, 201 people were recruited. Those with CKD had a male:female ratio of 1:3.9 and were older. The prevalence of autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease and CKD was 531.9 persons/100,000 population and 46.3%, respectively. Systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), uric acid, QTc interval, and electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy were higher in those with CKD. Age, female sex, and HDL were independently associated with CKD. There was a steep rise in CKD at the community level. Increased awareness of CKD and prompt interventions are therefore imperative.

Hypertension-Mediated Organ Damage: Prevalence, Correlates, and Prognosis in the Community.

Guidelines emphasize screening people with elevated BP for the presence of end-organ damage. We characterized the prevalence, correlates, and prognosis of hypertension-mediated organ damage (HMOD) in the community-based Framingham Study. 7898 participants (mean age 51.6 years, 54% women) underwent assessment for the following HMOD: electrocardiographic and echocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy, abnormal brain imaging findings consistent with vascular injury, increased carotid intima-media thickness, elevated carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, reduced kidney function, microalbuminuria, and low ankle-brachial index. We characterized HMOD prevalence according to blood pressure (BP) categories defined by four international BP guidelines. Participants were followed up for incidence of cardiovascular disease. The prevalence of HMOD varied positively with systolic BP and pulse pressure but negatively with diastolic BP; it increased with age, was similar in both sexes, and varied across BP guidelines based on their thresholds defining hypertension. Among participants with hypertension, elevated carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity was the most prevalent HMOD (40%-60%), whereas low ankle-brachial index was the least prevalent (<5%). Left ventricular hypertrophy, reduced kidney function, microalbuminuria, increased carotid intima-media thickness, and abnormal brain imaging findings had an intermediate prevalence (20%-40%). HMOD frequently clustered within individuals. On follow-up (median, 14.1 years), there were 384 cardiovascular disease events among 5865 participants with concurrent assessment of left ventricular mass, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, kidney function, and microalbuminuria. For every BP category above optimal (referent group), the presence of HMOD increased cardiovascular disease risk compared with its absence. The prevalence of HMOD varies across international BP guidelines based on their different thresholds for defining hypertension. The presence of HMOD confers incremental prognostic information regarding cardiovascular disease risk at every BP category.