Validation Study of Normogram For the Clinical Determination of Left Venrtricular Mass(Lvm) From M-Mode Echocardiographic Measurements in Hypertensive Heart Disease

Abstract

In a study of 70 newly diagnosed hypertensive at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital over a six month period, echocardiography detected increased left ventricular weight (= 225g) in 31 patients representing 44.3%. When compared with the rapid assessment of the estimation of Left Ventricular Mass (LVM) with a normogram for the clinical determination of LVM using M-mode measurement, the following indices were found: sensitivity of 61.3%, specificity of 97.4% and accuracy of 81.4%. These fairly good indices closely estimate the presence of LVM in patient with hypertensive heart disease (HHD). We therefore recommend the use of the normogram for centres without automated machines and busy specialist clinics for rapid estimation of LVM. This will improve the optimal management we render to our patients.


Nig. Medical Practitioner Vol. 45(1/2) 2004: 6-8