OBJECTIVES: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of the electrocardiographic (ECG) criteria for determining left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) among male and female Filipino patients. To determine which combination of the ECG criteria is most sensitive and specific.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective Case-Control Validation Study. SETTING: University of Santo Tomas Hospital (GSTH) Heart Station

METHODOLOGY: All adult patients seen at the Heart Station of the GSTH for echocardiography and electrocardiography from June to September 2006 were included. Echocardiograhic records were reviewed including age, sex, weight, height, BSA, LV mass and index. The Sokolow-Lyon, Sokolow-Lyon Rappaport, Cornell, White Bock, Romhilt - Estes scoring were compared with LV mass corrected for BSA, using the Feigenbaum curve.

RESULTS: There were 183 patients (93 males and 90 females) included in the final analysis. Mean age is 57 + 16.2 years. Mean BSA, LV mass and LV mass index were statistically higher in males. The Sokolow-Lyon Rappaport had the greatest sensitivity (73 percent ) and specificity (92 percent) in male subjects. Both the Sokolow-Lyon Rappaport and Cornell criteria had the highest sensitivity (60 percent) and specificity (98.6 percent) among female subjects. The White-Bock criteria was the least sensitive (0 percent) for both populations and the Romhilt Estes scoring, the least specific(82 percent in males and 89.3 percent in females) for both populations.

CONCLUSION: The Sokolow-Lyon Rappaport was the most sensitive and specific in determining LVH among male Filipino patients. The Cornell voltage duration product and Sokolow-Lyon Rappaport had the highest sensitivity and specificity among female Filipino patients. Among all the combinations of the criteria, the Cornell and White Bock criteria had the highest sensitivity and specificity. (Author)