The Accuracy of the Electrocardiogram in Identifying Chronic Heart Failure due to Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction

Abstract

There is a common assumption that a normal electrocardiography rules out chronic heart failure due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD). In this research work, an assessment of the value of electrocardiography in identifying patients with chronic heart failure due to LVSD was investigated. Patients admitted to Al-Bayda central hospital with suspicion of heart failure for clinical assessment and electrocardiography, echocardiography; the accuracy of each screening tests were calculated for left ventricular systolic dysfunction and heart failure. A total of 120 patients' aged between 36-100 years was assessed; 22 patients had impaired left ventricular systolic function, among them 21 patients had major electrocardiography abnormalities (Left bundle branch block, pathological Q wave, Left ventricular hypertrophy, poor R wave prog-ression, Ischemic ST-T changes, Left anterior fascicular block, IV conduction defect). Out of 98 patients with normal left ventricular systolic function, 38 had major electrocardiography abnormalities. In conclusion, the study showed that left ventricular systolic dysfunction is un likely to be present if the electrocardiography is normal (or shows only minor abnormalities); conversely, there is usually a major electrocardiographic abnormality in the presence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

Keywords

• Electrocardiography (ECG)
• Echocardiography (ECHO)
• Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD)