Key result
Electrocardiogram (81% sensitivity, 75% NPV) and chest X-ray (57% sensitivity, 83% NPV) were insufficient to reliably predict heart failure, as 25% of confirmed cases had normal results.
Why the study?
Do normal electrocardiogram and chest X-ray reliably rule out a diagnosis of heart failure in the community?
Population
6,300 subjects from the Portuguese population aged over 25 years clinically evaluated in the EPICA study…
Comparison
Electrocardiogram (ECG) and chest X-ray vs Echocardiogram
Design
Cross-sectional
Authors
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Normal ECG or chest X-ray may not exclude heart failure in community patients; supports echocardiography but leaves open prospective validation.
Observational (n=6,300)
Do normal electrocardiogram and chest X-ray reliably rule out a diagnosis of heart failure in the community?
Normal ECG and chest X-ray are insufficient to reliably rule out heart failure in the community, supporting the recommendation that all suspected cases undergo echocardiography.
Fonseca et al. (2004) conducted an observational in Heart failure (n=6,300). Electrocardiogram and Chest X-ray was evaluated on Diagnosis of heart failure. Electrocardiogram (81% sensitivity, 75% NPV) and chest X-ray (57% sensitivity, 83% NPV) were insufficient to reliably predict heart failure, as 25% of confirmed cases had normal results.
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