Left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertension: correlation between electrocardiography and echocardiography.

BACKGROUND Hypertension is an important modifi able cardiovascular risk factor. Left ventricular hypertrophy - the marker of hypertension, has emerged as an independent risk factor that can be detected by electrocardiography (ECG)and echocardiography (ECHO). OBJECTIVE Correlation of electrocardiography and echocardiographically detected left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Hundred patients with hypertension were studied for left ventricular hypertrophy by the help of electrocardiography and echocardiography. Left ventricular hypertrophy on ECG was assessed by the help of Sokolow-Lyon Voltage Criteria (SLV) and Romhilt - Estes Point Score (R/E). RESULTS Among 100 patients, 60 were males and 40 were females. Mean age for male was 54.82 + or - 12.10 years and 52.95 + or - 11.63 years for female. The mean systolic blood pressure for male was 150.47 + or - 20 mmHg and for female 148.60 + or - 16.95 mmHg; where as Diastolic blood pressure for male was 93.67 + or - 11.13 mmHg and for female it was 96.05 + or - 12.47 mmHg. Echocardiography detected left ventricular hypertrophy in 64% patients. Electrocardiography detected Left Ventricular Hypertrophy by R/E and SLV criteria 13% and 34% respectively. CONCLUSION In developing and under developed country ECG is a useful tool for detection of LVH where the facilities of echocardiography and trained echocardiographer are still not in a common man's reach.