Physical Examination and Electrocardiographic Findings in Young Subjects – Are They Predictive of Echocardiographic Findings

Study Population and Screening Process All subjects included in the study were 18to 22-year-old flight academy candidates evaluated at the IAF Aeromedical Center in the years 1997–2010. IAF flight academy candidates undergo preliminary screening at the Israeli Defense Forces recruiting office, and those with significant medical conditions are disqualified. At the IAF Aeromedical Center, they undergo a screening process which includes a comprehensive physical examination and ECG. All candidates in whom a morphologic cardiac abnormality is suspected based on physical or ECG findings are referred to echocardiography. Physical findings which lead to referral to echocardiography include elevated blood pressure and any murmur. Those in whom no cardiovascular condition is suspected undergo an additional non-medical selection process following which all those who pass it undergo echocardiography. The 12-lead ECG performed in all subjects was interpreted by an aeromedical examiner. Abnormal findings were categorized as either electrical abnormalities (bundle branch blocks, atrioventricular blocks or premature beats) or signs of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) according to the Sokolov-Lyon criteria.