Key result
ECG provides supportive evidence for left-sided heart conditions including hypertrophy, valvular disease, and cardiomyopathies.
Why the study?
Many cardiac and systemic illnesses affect the left side of the heart, and recognition of associated electrocardiographic abnormalities is important to avoid diagnostic error.
This article reviews the electrocardiographic changes associated with conditions affecting the left side of the heart, such as left atrial and ventricular hypertrophy.
ECG supports initial evaluation of left heart conditions; extends prior syntheses for clinical use and targeted studies.
Many cardiac and systemic illnesses can affect the left side of the heart. After a careful history and examination, electrocardiography and chest radiography are first line investigations. Electrocardiography can provide supportive evidence for conditions such as aortic stenosis, hypertension, and mitral stenosis. Recognition of the associated electrocardiographic abnormalities is important as misinterpretation may lead to diagnostic error. This article describes the electrocardiographic changes associated with left atrial hypertrophy, left ventricular hypertrophy, valvular disease, and cardiomyopathies. #### Conditions affecting left side of heart covered in this article #### Left ventricular hypertrophy ##### Voltage criteria ###### Limb leads ###### Precordial leads ##### Non-voltage criteria The specificity of these criteria is age and sex dependent The term left atrial abnormality is used to imply the presence of atrial hypertrophy or dilatation, or both. Left atrial depolarisation contributes to the middle and terminal portions of the P wave. The changes of left atrial hypertrophy are therefore seen in the late portion of the P wave. In addition, left atrial depolarisation may be delayed, which may prolong the duration of the P wave. Biphasic P wave in V1. The large negative deflection indicates left atrial abnormality (enlarged to show detail) The P wave in lead V1 is often biphasic. Early right atrial forces are directed anteriorly giving rise to an initial positive deflection; these …
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June A Edhouse (2002) conducted a review in Conditions affecting the left side of the heart. Electrocardiography provides supportive evidence for conditions affecting the left side of the heart, including left atrial and ventricular hypertrophy, valvular disease, and cardiomyopathies.
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