Defective T wave combined with incomplete right bundle branch block: a new electrocardiographic index for diagnosing atrial septal defect.
- Author:
Mu-xuan WANG
1
;
Gui-fu WU
;
Jing-li GU
;
Li LI
;
Kun LU
;
Da YANG
;
Long CHEN
;
Xi ZHANG
;
Fu-tian LUO
;
Andrew D MICHAELS
;
Hong MA
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Bundle-Branch Block; diagnosis; physiopathology; Child; Child, Preschool; Electrocardiography; Female; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial; diagnosis; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Predictive Value of Tests; Sensitivity and Specificity
- From: Chinese Medical Journal 2012;125(6):1057-1062
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUNDIncomplete right bundle branch block (ICRBBB) is commonly associated with atrial septal defect (ASD), but lacks sufficient diagnostic test characteristics. An abnormal T wave is also often observed in ASD, with horizontal or inverted displacement of the proximal T wave limb in the right precordial leads, termed "defective T wave" (DTW).
METHODSWe examined the diagnostic test characteristics of combining ICRBBB with DTW as a new index to diagnose ASD. A total of 132 consecutive patients with ASD and 132 cases of age/gender-matched controls without ASD were enrolled.
RESULTSSensitivities of DTW, ICRBBB, and both were 87.1% - 87.9%. Specificities were 97.0%, 96.2%, and 100%, respectively. Positive predictive values were 1.3%, 1.1%, and 100.0% respectively, while negative predictive values were 99.9% for each.
CONCLUSIONCombining ICRBBB with DTW in electrocardiogram (ECG) as a new index significantly increased the specificity and positive predictive values while maintaining a high sensitivity in diagnosing ASD.
