Does coding based on six limb-leads alone compared to twelve-lead ECG result in information loss in elderly persons?
Using only six limb-leads for ECG coding in the elderly results in significant information loss, missing over 20% of major abnormalities and over 50% of abnormal Q/QS waves compared to a full 12-lead ECG.
A total of 235 telve-lead electrocardiogram tracings representing all those traces with positive Minnesota codings from a population sample of persons aged 65 and over were re-coded on the basis of the six limb-leads alone. The over-all loss of information amounted to about 22.3 per cent of major abnormalities, as defined, but was higher than 50 per cent for some individual abnormalities such as abnormal Q and QS waves. Possible implications of these findings are discussed.
Evans et al. (1976) studied this question.