OBJECTIVES: To analyze the diagnostic value of electrocardiogram (ECG) in patients with pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) confirmed by right-heart catheterization (RHC). METHODS: A total of 64 patients with suspected PAH [sPAP > or = 36 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) estimated by echocardiography] were enrolled in this study. All patients were examined by 12-lead ECG within half an hour before RHC. RESULTS: PAH was excluded in 26 patients and confirmed in 38 patients. ECG analysis showed that S amplitude > 0.21 mV in lead I, QRS axis > 87 degrees , R(V1) + S(V5) > 0.76 mV were good parameters for diagnosing PAH with sensibility and specificity of 89%, 81%; 86%, 92%; 84%, 83%, respectively. QRS axis was positively correlated with mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) (r = 0.75, P < 0.001), R(V1) + S(V5) was positively correlated with pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) (r = 0.74, P < 0.001), R(V1) + S(V5) and S amplitude in lead I was negatively correlated with cardiac index (CI) (r = -0.62, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: ECG combined with echocardiography are adequate screening tools to rule out the presence of PAH. QRS axis, R(V1) + S(V5) and S amplitude in lead I were significantly correlated with hemodynamic parameters derived from RHC in PAH patients.
OBJECTIVES: To analyze the diagnostic value of electrocardiogram (ECG) in patients with pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) confirmed by right-heart catheterization (RHC). METHODS: A total of 64 patients with suspected PAH [sPAP > or = 36 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) estimated by echocardiography] were enrolled in this study. All patients were examined by 12-lead ECG within half an hour before RHC. RESULTS: PAH was excluded in 26 patients and confirmed in 38 patients. ECG analysis showed that S amplitude > 0.21 mV in lead I, QRS axis > 87 degrees , R(V1) + S(V5) > 0.76 mV were good parameters for diagnosing PAH with sensibility and specificity of 89%, 81%; 86%, 92%; 84%, 83%, respectively. QRS axis was positively correlated with mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) (r = 0.75, P < 0.001), R(V1) + S(V5) was positively correlated with pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) (r = 0.74, P < 0.001), R(V1) + S(V5) and S amplitude in lead I was negatively correlated with cardiac index (CI) (r = -0.62, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: ECG combined with echocardiography are adequate screening tools to rule out the presence of PAH. QRS axis, R(V1) + S(V5) and S amplitude in lead I were significantly correlated with hemodynamic parameters derived from RHC in PAH patients.