ECG as a screening tool

A recent study among asymptomatic post-menopausal women found an adjusted hazard ratios for CHD events of 1.55 (95% CI, 1.14-2.11) for minor, 3.01 (95% CI, 2.03-4.46) for major ECG abnormalities.[1] This study used a well defined list of major and minor ECG abnormalities that can be used to get a feel for major and minor ECG abnormalities:

Major ECG abnormalities[1][2]:

1. atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter
2. high-degree atrioventricular dissociation
3. left bundle-branch block
4. right bundle-branch block
5. indeterminate conduction delay
6. Q-wave MI
7. isolated ischemic abnormalities
8. left ventricular hypertrophy with ST-T abnormalities
9. supraventricular tachycardia
10. ventricular preexcitation
11. ventricular tachycardia

Minor ECG abnormalities[1][2]:

1. first- and second-degree atrioventricular block
2. borderline prolonged ventricular excitation
3. prolonged ventricular repolarization
4. isolated minor Q and ST-T abnormalities
5. left ventricular hypertrophy without ST-T abnormalities
6. left atrial enlargement
7. frequent atrial or ventricular premature beats
8. fascicular blocks

References

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