Aortic stenosis electrocardiogram
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editors-In-Chief: Mohammed A. Sbeih, M.D. [2], Claudia P. Hochberg, M.D. [3], Abdul-Rahman Arabi, M.D. [4], Keri Shafer, M.D. [5], Priyamvada Singh, MBBS [6]; Assistant Editor-In-Chief: Kristin Feeney, B.S. [7]
Overview
Electrocardiogram may be used as a diagnostic tool in the evaluation of aortic stenosis. ECG findings associated with aortic stenosis include left ventricular hypertrophy and heart block.
Electrocardiogram
Although aortic stenosis does not lead to any specific findings on the ECG, it still often leads to a number of electrocardiographic abnormalities. ECG manifestations of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) are common in aortic stenosis and arise as a result of the stenosis having placed a chronically high pressure load on the left ventricle (with LVH being the expected response to chronic pressure loads on the left ventricle no matter how caused).
As noted below, the calcification process which occurs in aortic stenosis can progress to extend beyond the aortic valve and into the electrical conduction system of the heart. Evidence of this phenomenon may include heart block that is apparent on the ECG but otherwise undetectable.
As the left ventricular wall becomes thicker, the QRS complexes become larger. This is especially true for leads V1-V6. The S wave in V1 is deep, the R wave in V4 is high. Often some ST depression can be seen in leads V5-V6, which is in this setting is called a 'strain pattern'.
To diagnose left ventricular hypertrophy on the ECG one of the following criteria should be met: The Sokolow-Lyon criterium:
- R in V5 or V6 + S in V1 >35 mm.
Other criteria:
- R >26 mm in V5 or V6.
- R >20 mm in I, II or III.
- R >12 mm in aVL (in the absence of left anterior fascicular block).
The Cornell-criterium has different values in men and women:
- R in aVL and S in V3 >28 mm in men
- R in aVL and S in V3 >20 mm in women
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Another example of extreme left ventricular hypertrophy in a patient with severe aortic valve stenosis.
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ECG of a patient with LVH and subendocardial ischemia leading to positive cardiovascular markers in blood testing.
- Left ventricular hypertrophy; left ventricular strain due to aortic stenosis.
- Aortic Stenosis Hemodynamic Pressure Tracing.